Greg Daly
Pope Francis Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA, known to millions globally as the foundress of the EWTN Global Catholic Network, died peacefully at 5pm on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, surrounded by the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama.
“This is a sorrow-filled day for the entire EWTN Family,” said EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw. “Mother has always, and will always, personify EWTN, the network which she founded. In the face of sickness and long-suffering trials, Mother’s example of joy and prayerful perseverance exemplified the Franciscan spirit she held so dear. We thank God for Mother Angelica and for the gift of her extraordinary life.”
Born Rita Antoinette Rizzo in Canton, Ohio in 1923, she entered the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Cleveland on August 15, 1944 aged 21, receiving her religious name the following year. Soon after, the Cleveland Monastery established a new foundation in Canton, Ohio, and Sr Angelica was chosen to be a member of the new community. On Jan 2, 1947 she made her first profession of vows, taking her solemn vows in January 1953.
In 1956, while awaiting spinal surgery, Sister Angelica made a promise that, if God would permit her to walk again, she would build a monastery in the southern US, where Catholics are less numerous. The surgery was successful, and on May 20, 1962, Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama was dedicated by Mobile’s Archbishop Thomas Toolen.
Parish talks
In Irondale, Mother Angelica’s vision took form and her distinctive approach to teaching the Faith led to parish talks, the publication of pamphlets and books, then radio and television opportunities. By 1980, the nuns had converted their monastery’s garage into a television studio.
Despite having only a high school education, no television experience and just $200 in the bank, Mother Angelica officially launched the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) on August 15, 1981, serving as its first Chairman and CEO. She refused to air paid advertisements to fund her network, relying solely on viewer donations, despite coming close to bankruptcy several times.
Today, EWTN is the world’s largest Catholic media network, transmitting 11 separate television channels to over 264 million homes in 145 countries and territories. The network now also includes multiple radio platforms, online and digital media outlets, global news services and a publishing group.
EWTN’s activities in Ireland are carried out by its subsidiary charity EWTN (St Brigid Media Ltd). Besides communicating and supporting the evangelising work of the network in Ireland, it also produces local programming.
Known for her humour and ability to share the Faith with Catholics and non-Catholics alike, her popular EWTN television show Mother Angelica Live was launched in 1984, with episodes – translated into several languages including Spanish, German and Ukrainian – continuing to air regularly. In addition to the Eternal Word Television Network and Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, Mother Angelica also founded the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, a male religious community based in Irondale.
In 1995, Mother Angelica began construction of a new monastery and church on an almost 400 acre (161 hectares) site in rural Hanceville, Alabama. By 1999, the nuns relocated from Irondale to the new site, which was formally dedicated that December.
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the new site remains one of Alabama’s most visited tourist sites.
Influential
Before stepping down as EWTN’s Chairman and CEO in 2000, Mother Angelica was described by Time magazine as “arguably the most influential Roman Catholic woman in America”.
Throughout her life, she struggled with painful illnesses and physical challenges, and suffered a debilitating stroke and cerebral haemorrhage on Christmas Eve, 2001, removing her capacity to speak.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in recognition of her faithful and extraordinary service to the Church.
While flying to Cuba in February, Pope Francis sent a special blessing to Mother Angelica, and asked for her prayers.
Mother Angelica’s final years were prayerful and quiet, spent with her nuns at the monastery she built in Hanceville.