On this day in history, September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa is canonized: ‘Generous dispenser of divine mercy’

Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint on September 4, 2016, by Pope Francis, who recognized her as “Saint Teresa of Calcutta.” She dedicated her life to serving the poor and dying, founding the Missionaries of Charity religious order. Two miracles attributed to her intercession led to her canonization, one involving the healing of a woman in India and the other a man in Brazil. Mother Teresa’s selfless work gained international recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her canonization Mass took place on the 19th anniversary of her death, September 5, 1997.