On the day of her death, Mother Teresa's final message demonstrated her unwavering belief in Christ.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, who was canonized in 2016, passed away on Sept. 5, 1997, at the age of 87.

On the morning of her death, Mother Teresa wrote her final letter to the Missionaries of Charity, which is now part of the Office of Readings and is read and reflected upon as part of the liturgy of the hours for Sept. 5 each year.

In her final letter, Mother Teresa shared a glimpse into her spiritual journey and expressed her anticipation for the future.

Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., a Washington-based Dominican friar, stated that in her final letter, Mother Teresa viewed her life's work through the lens of the Virgin Mary.

"Is it any wonder that the saint, who was a devoted mother to many, would closely emulate and honor the mother of Christ?"

Dear children, Mother Teresa urged us to devote ourselves entirely to Jesus through Mary.

In Catholicism, Jesus could not have existed without Mary's veneration.

Unlike any other, she had a unique bond with Jesus as his mother.

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, a priest of the Diocese of Charleston, stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that no one loved or served Jesus better in this life than Mary.

"Mother Teresa directs us to follow Mary's example of faith, selfless service, love, and cheerfulness."

"All Mother wants for you is the imitation of Mary's faith and deep love for Christ," she wrote.

"By being completely devoted to Jesus through Mary and carrying out all actions with this devotion, you will become a true Missionary of Charity," she stated.

Mother Teresa emphasized the importance of giving thanks to God for the gift of Our Lady's spirit, which should serve as the guiding spirit of their society. She also reminded them of the significance of their daily lives, which involve saying "yes" to Jesus and rushing to serve Him in the poorest of the poor.

She contemplated on the approaching anniversary of her inspiration to establish the Missionaries of Charity and expressed gratitude for the accomplishments achieved in those years.

Our strong resolution to quench the Thirst of Jesus is fueled by our gratitude and love for Him in prayer, our Sisters, and the poorest of the poor. Nothing else.

Mother Teresa's condition worsened, and she passed away before signing the letter. Sister Nirmala Joshi, her successor as the superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, wrote underneath it.

"Our Mother's last letter, which was prepared for her signature, was left unsigned because Jesus took her away so suddenly," wrote Sister Nirmala Joshi.

"With great love, I am sending this message to you, which is our Mother's final words. Let us cherish it deeply with love and prayer."

According to the Nobel Peace Prize website, Mother Teresa was of Albanian heritage and was born in Skjope, North Macedonia.

At age 18, she left home in Sept. 1928 to join the Sisters of Loreto and felt her first call to religious life during her adolescence.

The Vatican website stated that Agnes, who was 15 years old, was given the religious name "Sister Mary Teresa" by the Sisters of Loreto in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

After living in Ireland for over a year, she was dispatched to one of the Sisters of Loreto's missions in India, where she would eventually make India her permanent residence.

In May 1931, she took her first religious vows and was assigned to the Sisters of Loreto community in Calcutta, as per the Vatican's website.

In 1937, she took her final vows with the Sisters of Loreto and was later known as "Mother Teresa."

In 1948, Mother Teresa would depart from the Sisters of Loreto to establish a new religious order, the Missionaries of Charity.

The Vatican's website stated that on August 17, 1948, she put on a white, blue-bordered sari for the first time and entered the world of the poor by passing through the gates of her beloved Loreto convent.

Four months later, Mother Teresa discovered what would become the focus of her life's work.

On December 21st, she made her first visit to the slums. She washed the sores of some children, cared for an old man lying sick on the road, and nursed a woman who was dying of hunger and TB, as reported on the Vatican's website.

The Missionaries of Charity were granted permission to operate within the Archdiocese of Calcutta in 1950.

The order's website states that our community is completely committed to serving the most disadvantaged, regardless of social status, beliefs, or race.

Today, the Missionaries of Charity are found throughout the world and have more than 5,000 members.

"We intentionally demonstrate God's compassion for the underprivileged and marginalized, staying grounded and providing prompt and efficient assistance to those in need, until they can access more sustainable and long-term support."

The Missionaries of Charity have a global presence with over 5,000 members.