Mother House, Kolkata (West Bengal) | Images, Timings, Entry Fee

Mother House, Kolkata Overview

Mother House or Missionaries of Charity is a religious congregation that was established by Mother Teresa in 1950. It is a Latin Church or a Roman Catholic religious congregation known as Saint Teresa of Kolkata. The members of the Mother House provide free services to the ones stricken by poverty. The house has about 4,500 members of the congregation, commonly known as Sisters who have selflessly devoted their lives to serve the poor and the needy ones. They adhere to the vows of obedience, poverty, chastity and to selflessly and wholeheartedly help to the ones who have been affected by poverty. Their service and kindness have won many a hearts, and today several branches are running all over the world serving the ones who are in need.

The missionaries provide free services to people in need regardless of their religion. They help the sick, the poor, the disabled, the mentally challenged, the ones who are dying, former prostitutes, the addicts, the homeless, the victims of natural disasters and epidemics, orphans and street children. They also run soup kitchens and schools to educate poor street children.

An area of the house is reserved for followers to pay their respect to Mother Teresa. Here, one can find Mother Teresa's Tomb and an exhibition that displays her work through photographs, awards and articles. Some of her belongings like her sarees, her sandals and her bag are also displayed. This is where Mother Teresa began her service to mankind, and this is where it ended. In her lifetime, she created a community that continues to serve the needy ones selflessly. One visit here to pay respects to Mother Teresa is a must.

History of Mother House

In 1950, Mother Teresa and her pupils formed a small community to care for the ones who were abandoned, starving, were homeless and helpless. After seeking permission from the Vatican, they formed a church in Kolkata and started helping the people who were abandoned by the society because of their inabilities to serve themselves or others. The community initially had only 12 members. Pope Paul VI, in 1965, allowed Mother Teresa to expand her congregation to several other countries. This helped in the growth of the congregation all over the world.

The Contemplative branch of the Brothers was added to the existing list of congregation homes in 1979 followed by a Priest Branch named Missionaries of Charity Fathers in 1984. Both were founded by Mother Teresa with the assistance of Father Joseph Langford thus combining the vocation with Ministerial Priesthood. The first house outside India was in Venezuela after which the congregation developed several houses in Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States of America. The congregations were running over 500 missions in over 100 nations by 1996. Mother Teresa resigned in 1990, and in 1997 she passed away leaving the congregation in the trusted hands of her followers.

Mass at Mother House

A daily mass is held at Mother House with Sisters and Volunteers celebrating Holy Mass every day at 6:00 AM in the Main Chapel. Pilgrim Group Masses at Mother's Tomb are also organised during visiting hours. These masses have a priest accompanying. The requirement needs to be notified well in advance. Also, every week on Fridays at 4:30 PM, a special mass is offered at Mother's Tomb for the intentions placed at the tomb which is followed by a special blessing with Mother Teresa's relic.

How To Reach Mother House

Being a major landmark in Kolkata, reaching Mother House is very easy. The nearest metro station to it is Park Street, around 2 km away. You can cover this distance either in a taxi or on foot. You can also reach Mother House by bus through any parts of the city. There are direct and regular bus services from the Howrah Railway Station, Sealdah Railway Station and the airport to Mother House.