Quietly serving those most in need

The Missionaries of Charity, the Catholic religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa in Calcutta in 1950, today has more than 5,000 sisters serving in 139 countries. 

Their only house in Bosnia and Herzegovina is in Banja Luka, where the sisters have been serving those most in need for nearly two decades.

The sisters arrived in Banja Luka in October 2005 at the invitation of the then-Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica. Their mission is simple: to stand alongside those who need help the most.

Recognizable by their white saris with blue borders, the Missionaries of Charity base their work on prayer, humility, and service to the most vulnerable.

The sisters in Banja Luka work closely with communities in Zagreb and Ljubljana, which visit them periodically and assist with their work.

Msgr. Dr. Karlo Višaticki, Vicar General of the Diocese of Banja Luka, described the community’s current situation:

“There are currently four sisters here: one from India, one from Bangladesh, and two Croatians—one from Derventa and one from Zagreb. They work with the most destitute—the homeless. Often, these are young people who have lost their way and turned to drugs, and so on. They work with them as well; there is a shelter here where they can stay for a time until they get back on their feet.”

The sisters help the homeless, the sick, people struggling with addiction, and anyone else in need, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. This is at the heart of Mother Teresa’s charism, which the sisters strive to live out every day.

Volunteers play an important role

Volunteers also help the sisters with their daily work. Among them is Jelena Vasilj, who came to Banja Luka from Čitluk four years ago to study medicine. She has been regularly assisting the sisters ever since.

Vasilj says she would rather spend her free time “helping others rather than sitting at home in front of a computer or on a phone, going out, and the like.”

“They operate the soup kitchen three times a week, so I help prepare and serve meals to the beneficiaries. I also assist them in visiting the sick—most often at a nursing home, but also in their private homes. When the sisters are unable to do so themselves, I help with transportation and procuring food. I want to invite volunteers to come here and help the sisters, because every hour of our time means a great deal to them, and we can all spare a few hours a month to come and help.”

The house also has a chapel where Mass is celebrated, Eucharistic Adoration takes place, and liturgical feasts, including the feast of Saint Mother Teresa, are observed.

True to the principles established by their founder, the sisters carry out their work quietly and away from media attention. Their mission is to stand alongside people on the margins of society while respecting their dignity and privacy.

For the Missionaries of Charity, that quiet service remains at the heart of their presence in Banja Luka: helping those most in need, regardless of who they are or where they come from.