BUON COMPLEANNO MOTHER ANGELICA

Today is the 85th Birthday of Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN. Her efforts to proclaim the Gospel through the use of television and radio will have an effect long into the future. & for that I am grateful to God as well as to her.

Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation PCPA (nee Rita Antoinette Rizzo) was born in Canton, OH on this day. Her childhood was often unhappy & at times she was beset with poor health. She was healed of a stomach ailment after following a suggestion by mystic & stigmatic Rhoda Wise to pray a novena to St. Thérèse de Lisieux.

In 1944 she entered Adoration Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Cleveland, OH, a cloistered contemplative order of Franciscan nuns. While still a novice, Sancta Clara Monastery was begun in Canton. She was moved there. On 2 January 195 she took her solemn vows.

A few years later she suffered a spinal injury that eventually needed surgery. The night before the operation she prayed: "God! You didn't bring me this far just to lay me out on my back for life. Please, Lord Jesus, if You allow me to walk again I will build a monastery for Your glory. And I will build it in the South!" In 1962 everything needed was in place & she founded Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, AL. In 1973 she began writing books & booklets on spiritual life.

Every step of the way Mother Angelica operated on faith. Even when circumstances said differently. 1 example: To print her booklets she needed a new printing press. When delivered the door it had to go through turned to be too small for it to print through. She told them to try anyway. It fit.

By 1976 she was giving talks & making appearances on various Christian cable shows. She was also taping shows for a series on CBN. After the local station she was taping the series at refused to not air a blasphemous program she decided to build her own facility. The result, on 15 August 1981 the Eternal Word Television Network began airing on cable. Originally on for only 4 hours a day, the network has grown to air 24 hours & add international editions as well as a radio network. & it still operates in a true Franciscan manner, continually needing to beg & trust God to provide.

For many years she hosted a live interview program, until her health problems forced her to stop in 2003. Now she spends her time praying and offering her suffering up for the success of the network.

She also helped found an order of Franciscans friars, Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, to help with the work of the network. EWTN has come to be the face of orthodox Catholicism in the USA. The network provides not only excellent programs with solid Catholic teaching, it has provided the most comprehensive coverage of the various Papal travels & Masses available.

Mother Angelica has been no stranger to controversy. Over the years she spoke up strongly in support of the Pope, regularly standing up to highly visible & often angry disidents. She even took on Cardinal Mahony. He attempted to silence her, but failed.

I had the privilege of 1st meeting her about 1984 when she came to DBQ to speak. I acted as 1 of her bodyguards at the theater. In 1989 I traveled down to Irondale to visit EWTN & had several chances to spend time with her. 1 of the events while we were there was a sister taking her vows. & I was able to attend many of the celebratory events. & they do celebrate. As you know, Mother is Italiano, & it showed in the way they celebrated. I even got to dance with her.

On his EWTN blog yesterday, Raymond Arroyo, author of a biography on Mother Angelica & host of EWTN's The World Over, Live, wrote the following: "Several correspondents to my overflowing e-mail account have noted that some well known media types (including non-Catholics) received a private audience with the Pope in Washington earlier this week and were awarded “medals” by the Holy Father. As nice as this is, it begs a question, one I wish I did not have to raise.

As she suffers in silence, living out her cloistered vocation in total obedience to her Church-- while the network she founded covers every move of Pope Benedict’s American pilgrimage—could no one think of throwing a medal Mother Angelica’s way? Could no one consider mentioning the fact that she preserved the faith of millions during the confusion and chaos of the 1980s clear through the sex abuse crisis? While others in the media were throwing rocks, attacking the papacy and the Church with outrageous charges and ignorant comments, Angelica kept a quiet vigil: broadcasting a message of hope around the world rooted in prayer and sacrifice.

Could no one have suggested that His Holiness make even a fleeting reference to the woman who for millions and millions of Americans has been the face of faithful Catholicism for decades? How easily loyal friends are forgotten when the world crowds in clamoring for papal mementos and their moment of reflected glory."

Raymond, I know that as a reporter you have to be tactful. As a blogger, I don't. If Papa Benedetto had known, yes he would have done something to honor her. I am sure. But, I am fairly certain that those at the USCCB who's job it was to see that people were recognized made sure she was kept off. Why? Because, as you & I know, Mother is persona non gratia for many at the USCCB because she has stood up for orthodoxy in the face of their attempts to promote relativism & yes, even heresy. & that includes some of the hierarchy.

At the least, her tireless efforts hindered their efforts. At best, it often put a stop to them. This is their petty way of getting revenge.

Well, I am definitely not the Pope. However that doesn't mean I can't do something to acknowledge all that Mother Angelica has done in service to the Lord & His Bride, the Catholic Church. This post is my humble effort.

As I stated at the start of this post, I thank God for giving us the gift of Mother Angelica. & I thank Mother Angelica for her faithfulness to God's call. Your efforts have aided me greatly in my growth in the faith. I pray that the Lord continue to bless your every effort, until that day that you hear: "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; . . . . come and join in your master's happiness." (Matt 25:23)

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I have given a very brief & VERY inadequate bio of Mother. If you want to know more I would highly recommend Raymond Arroyo's biography of her, Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles, as well as Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality.