Mother Angelica

Mother Angelica
The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles
By Raymond Arroyo


I met the author Raymond Arroyo in October. I was on my way to the office from morning mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral walking up Madison Avenue. He was standing on the corner of 52nd and Madison. To me he was like an old friend. I’d been watching his show “The World Over Live” on EWTN Cable network for the last fifteen years.

I went up to him and said “Hey, Raymond Arroyo!” He answered “Yes” He told me he was trying to catch a cab and I told him it would be easier up a couple of blocks because there were a few hotels there. So we walked together and he told me he was in town for the release of his book on Mother Angelica at the Doubleday offices over by Columbus circle. He could have walked but he was stressed out. Apparently this world traveler was behind schedule and he feared getting to his meeting late. I gave him my card and told him if he needed anything in New York that he could count on me.

I hoped he would call me but it didn’t happen. I really wanted to talk about Mother with him. To me she is a woman that I admire so much. I have been watching her show and network and over the years I have grown up with her and my life has been so much better because of it. Only Mother could make my son Stephen, a 10 year old boy at the time, laugh and enjoy learning about our faith. She is a Saint in my book.

Well anyway thanks to this book I feel like I got to personally spend time with her. The book is direct and honest as Mother has always been. It tells of Mother’s broken home growing up. Her Italian background and her call from God. It gives us all the trials and tribulations. But mostly it’s a book that tells a story of a woman inspired by God to do great works. As long as she trusted in Jesus all the money in the world seemed to be at her call.

There was the one story where due to a business contract with a cable company that they had problems with, they were being sued for over a million dollars. Mother, another sister and Bill Steltemeier, the President of EWTN flew to California to discuss the issue and hopefully solve this conflict. On the way to the meeting Mother asked for herself and Sister to be dropped of at a church where they prayed before the Blessed Sacrament while Bill went to the negotiations. Bill did not want to go without her but he followed her direction and as always happened with Mother and her Network, another miracle occurred, and things were settled to the satisfaction of both parties.

The book is filled with stories that make you laugh, cry and rejoice. It’s brought me more courage in my daily life through her inspiration to have the faith in Jesus everyday and in every situation. She was a simple woman who loved Christ and risked it all to saves souls. We have many Saints in this world doing the Lord’s work and Mother Angelica is one of them. Like so many others I want to say thank you Mother Angelica and we love you! And thanks to Raymond Arroyo for this wonderful book.