Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Rita Rizzo was born on April 20, 1923, in Canton, Ohio. She is commonly known as Mother Angelica, a name she adopted after becoming a nun.
Birth and Death Dates
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April 20, 1923 - March 27, 2022
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American Catholic nun, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), and television personality.
Early Life and Background
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Mother Angelica was born into an Italian-American family. She grew up in a devoutly Catholic household with a strong emphasis on prayer and spiritual development. Rita's early life was marked by her love for God and her desire to serve Him. At the age of 21, she entered the Poor Clares monastery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Major Accomplishments
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Founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in 1981, which became one of the largest Catholic television networks worldwide.
Created numerous popular television programs, including "The Living Word" and "Mother Angelica Live."
* Authored several books on spirituality and Catholicism.
Notable Works or Actions
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In 1964, Rita suffered a serious accident that left her with partial paralysis. Despite this setback, she continued to pursue her spiritual calling, eventually founding the Poor Clare Colettines in Irondale, Alabama. This community served as the base for EWTN's operations.
Mother Angelica was known for her strong personality and unapologetic style, which often sparked controversy but also attracted a large following. Her commitment to spreading Catholic teachings through media helped establish EWTN as a major force in religious broadcasting.
Impact and Legacy
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Mother Angelica's impact on Catholicism and television is immeasurable. She was a pioneer in using media to promote spiritual growth and understanding. Through her work, she has inspired countless individuals worldwide with her unwavering faith and dedication to spreading the Gospel message.
EWTN continues to thrive under new leadership, carrying forward Mother Angelica's vision of using technology to evangelize and educate. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of faith and determination in shaping the world around us.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Mother Angelica is widely quoted and remembered for her sharp wit, unwavering dedication to Catholicism, and innovative use of media to spread spiritual teachings. Her unapologetic style and commitment to her faith have made her a beloved figure in the world of Catholic television and beyond.
As a trailblazer in religious broadcasting, Mother Angelica paved the way for future generations of Catholics to share their message with a wider audience. Her impact will continue to be felt through EWTN's ongoing mission to spread the Gospel message through media.
Quotes by Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica's insights on:
Even if my fellow man has proven faithless time after time, I can at least retain a hope that he will improve, pray for him, and think kindly without frustration and disappointment.
I must not permit the evil capabilities of human nature to sour my faith in the tremendous good that is possible despite the frailty of that nature.
No creature, not even the most exalted angel, can understand God or have perfect knowledge of Him.
Neighbors are competitors instead of partners, suspicious instead of trustful, indifferent instead of helpful, cold instead of loving, greedy instead of generous. We no longer consider ourselves living in neighborhoods, but only as living next to 'hoods.'
We must look at the personality of Jesus and see him under various circumstances - circumstances not unlike our own - and then praise him by imitating him to the best of our ability.
Religious life is an encounter with the living God. Sometimes that encounter is preceded by a kind of soul-searching agony that tries desperately not to hear, runs in the opposite direction, and frantically tries to reason itself out of answering the invitation.
My life is such a contradiction. My soul yearns for holiness and then runs from the mortification necessary to attain it.
Death at times seems like a dark tunnel to be traveled, and the future seems bleak.
Jesus told us to learn from him how to be meek and humble of heart. We must look at his life if we are to have any concept of what humility is all about.