I remember Mother Angelica’s weekly lessons in the studio. With only a small number of employees, we all attended and all were moved by her talks. As young staffers, we laughed with her, even though we often struggled with petty workplace matters. Being a small group, we also knew of each other’s personal struggles. Our eyes would open wide during Mother’s lessons because it seemed she was addressing us personally. We left committed to improve where applicable—and a little stronger and more prepared to face financial, family, or personal struggles.

Mother Angelica walked the halls in those early days. We might come out of our offices when we heard her speaking—sometimes when we heard her Rosary clacking against her braces—and she would lead an impromptu lesson. We were truly blessed.

Shortly after I started working at EWTN, we created an outer envelope teaser with “Lie. Steal. Betray a Friend. What would you do for half a year’s wage.” Inside the envelope was a flyer, describing how this became the Most Holy Week of the Year. We went on to describe the Masses, events and programming we offered [for Holy Week]. Mother Angelica said we needed to shred the envelope and change the teaser. She cautioned that anything we distributed should inspire. She was worried about the mail carriers who would only see the outside envelope, not the content inside. She told us not to create anything that could cause someone to sin. A costly lesson I have carried throughout my career at EWTN.

During development of the Come and See book, I have memories during the building of the Monastery and Shrine in Hanceville, Alabama, of Mother Angelica telling me to come to Hanceville immediately and bring a photographer. We arrived as they were installing the stained glass section of God the Father’s face in the west end of the Shrine. Mother Angelica stood in prayer as [one of the Sisters] sang “Ave Maria.”

Then there is the Jello story. Mother Angelica telling us about the gold being applied to the Reredos, marble floors, and hand-carved statues to come, all for the glory of God. She invited me to lunch and we ate tuna casserole. Her eyes sparkled when she announced we would have Jello for dessert. The contrast of that done for God’s glory versus the simplicity of her personal life has always struck me.

Louise W. | Creative Services

When I first came to EWTN, I worked in the accounting office. Mother came in just about every other morning and would be out of breath. … Mother’s first words were “How is everyone?” … We still had paper checks in 1999. Everyone in accounting would look forward to seeing Mother come in. You could hear her jolly voice down the hallways.

The very same halls we have today.

And oh, she could be firm. When she got upset or wanted to make sure you were doing the right thing the right way, she had that tone of voice that a mother would use on her children. But she showed so much love in those different tones. I looked up to her because of that. It’s the love of a mother who has to be firm, yet gentle at the same time. Soft but direct. You knew when you got out of line, but you also knew she did it for the best.

We always had a lot of construction going on in the early 2000s. Rooms were being added due to the station growing so much over the years. I remember one morning we passed in the hallway, and she made a remark about all the construction going on, and I replied to her, “Yes, they’re destructing to construct again.” She laughed and said, “Yes, and that is how we grow.”

Jerry A. | Traffic

I was just out of school and so young and clueless.

Mother Angelica was always around the office and studio. I could hear her Rosary beads hitting her braces as she walked into the studio. Mother would come through and look at what I was doing. She would ask me questions, and I would probably go into too much detail about the creative process, but she patiently listened to me. I was usually on the floor in the studio painting some type of set element.

When we completed the Mother Angelica Live set, I stayed for the first airing. We all gathered in the control room. As the music played and I watched the show start, I was humbled and honored to play my small part and felt emotional. I was overcome with joy, emotion, awe, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn’t even realize how lucky I was—she gave us a lesson every Friday! All the employees would fit on two stadium-style seating sections with room to spare.

Liz M. | Creative Services

My favorite part of working with Mother was attending her lesson every Friday in the studio. Whatever she discussed always seemed to address the issues we were experiencing that week at work.

MaryAnn C. | Creative Services

I feel so blessed and honored to have witnessed Mother Angelica entering the EWTN studio for so many years.

She would make her way to the studio, not knowing exactly what she was going to talk about, not knowing exactly who she would encounter after she entered. But, as the studio door opened and she stepped inside, you would feel her spirituality consume the room. You could see it in the eyes of the studio audience that awaited her that they were in the presence of someone filled with the Holy Spirit.

As she made her way to the set, she would immediately give up a big smile and a hello to all, as she greeted them in her own motherly way. Mother would then take her seat, have a sip of tea, and place a cough drop in her mouth. Just before looking into the lens of the camera, she’d be ready to begin the show. Mother Angelica would then begin to speak. The love, compassion, and wisdom would start flowing.

People of all walks of life were hanging on every word she delivered, as she brought Our Lord’s teachings to life with humor and vigor. Phone calls throughout the globe poured in—and questions from the studio audience and traveling pilgrims, all needing answers and clarification of God’s Word from Mother. She would speak to the world with an ease that only a seasoned network anchorperson could.

As I looked at my control room monitors, I didn’t see a seasoned anchorperson, I saw a nun from Canton Ohio, with her Bible at her side and the Catholic Faith entrenched in her soul. … Someone whom God had chosen to build the world’s largest religious cable network … out of a monastery garage. Someone whom God had chosen to reach the masses through television and radio. Someone whom God had chosen to preach and teach to save souls … even if it was just one soul … said Mother. Someone whom God had chosen, to share the love of Jesus with the world.

I was blessed to have spent so many years with Mother Angelica, observing, listening, and absorbing knowledge from her words. I truly believe that I was in the presence of greatness. … Someone who reflected the love of Christ throughout her life and to all she met.

Jody C. | Production

I was hired in engineering a little over a month before EWTN went to 24-hour programming. When I met Mother for the first time, it was in her original office in the hall near the reception area. It was a moment I will never forget.

At one time she became the head of engineering and I had a weekly audience with her. At first when we would need new equipment, I would talk to her in a primer way. She would snap back with technical terms and other brands of equipment. I was amazed that this cloistered nun knew so much about TV gear. “Only the best for Jesus,” she would say.

On a personal side—there was the one time I was at a low point. My daughter had been in Children’s Hospital for almost a month. Once when I had stayed the night with her, while she was getting tests, I ran across the street to get breakfast at Burger King. In the parking lot was the big brown station wagon which the nuns had in those days. In the restaurant were Sr. Catharine and some other sisters who had to take Mother to the hospital in the middle of the night. They were getting breakfast at Burger King, too. They asked if I would like to see Mother. She was lying in the back of the station wagon. She was tired and in pain, but took a few minutes to pray with me. I teared up at the hug and kiss she gave me.

That is what made Mother Angelica who she was. She gave her all. Even in her pain, she reached out to me in mine. I think all who knew her would agree that she took time with us to show us love and to be an example of Jesus at every turn.

Jeffrey B. | Former Employee

A few days before Thanksgiving, in November of 2001, Mother Angelica came into Viewer Services and called everyone to the front of the office, as she sometimes did, to give us a word of encouragement. I was just finishing my Holy Hour in the Chapel, came in a minute late into the office, and stood behind Mother. She turned her head, saw me, and, to my surprise, took my hand. I cannot remember all that she told us, but I’ll never forget these words she said: “I am willing to offer to the Father everything He asks of me in order to increase the remnant faithful.” Four weeks later, on Christmas Eve, she suffered the big stroke, while waiting for the Child Jesus at the Monastery Chapel. I think she knew the Lord would ask her to offer something big for souls.

Cristi R. | Marketing

My family met Mother Angelica in January 1999, when I started working at EWTN as an Assistant Promotions Producer. My wife, Joy, and our two young sons, Michael and Timothy, were present in the studio with me. My eldest son Michael, five years old at the time, was acting shy to Mother, and so he hid behind Joy, who was pregnant with our third son, John Paul, who would arrive in April. Mother patiently called, “Michael, Michael …” as she circled around Joy to meet Michael. Of course, Mother caught up with Michael for a happy meeting. Mother cared enough to reach out to a little one. We remember her for this reason.

Brian M. | Production

When Mother Angelica interviewed me for a job position in production, … I was in front of her looking at that angelic face, [and] she pointed to my necklace and said: “oh el Niño” and she smiled. … [T]hen she said: “You are one of us.” Since then, that’s how I feel: like one of her daughters. She really made me feel that I’m part of the EWTN Family. … Then she asked me: “Where are you from?” I replied: “From Bogotá.” I’ll never forget her big smile … and exclamation, “OH! EL NIÑO!”

I’ve been wearing this pendant of the Divine Child since my father gave it to me as a gift in Colombia in 1983. He was devoted to El Niño, and we as a family used to go to the Shrine “El Divino Niño” in Bogotá, where mother had the inspiration to build a temple in His honor.

Amparo P. | Spanish Production and Marketing

When I was six months old, my parents brought me to Mother for her to pray over me. She took me out of my infant seat, carried me into the chapel, laid me on the altar, and prayed over me. Eighteen years later, I came back. And have been here since. I miss her so much!

Jennifer T. | Program Scheduling & Traffic

Mother was more gifted than we realize. She would always look you straight in the eye—sometimes with a twinkle in her own and sometimes with deep compassion.

The first time we met her was at the Live show and she prayed over my husband, Jimmy, for his cancer. … Several years later, when his cancer came back and was life-threatening, Mother met with us again. … When Jimmy handed her the two dozen yellow roses he had brought for her, she smiled. Then she placed her hands on him and prayed over him again.

Jimmy and I had an additional 20 years together. Cancer did not take him. And I do believe that Mother Angelica’s kind prayers to the ear of her Beloved Spouse made a difference.

Lateena H. | Creative Services

In the late 1990s, my Mom—a strong Protestant Christian—started taking our family to watch tapings of Mother Angelica Live. After the shows, we were able to talk with Mother Angelica, and she was always so kind and helpful.

In this time period, Mother Angelica was building the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. My Mom, who was being called to the Catholic Church, wanted us to attend our first Holy Mass at a church close to Hanceville.

We sat in the back of the church, waiting for Mass to begin. As newcomers, we didn’t know the responses, or when to stand, when to sit, and what to do. We were lost. And we didn’t want anyone to see how lost we were. There was only one pew behind us, and all of us, especially my Mom, hoped it would remain empty. Except it didn’t.

Just before Mass, we heard a sound behind us … the gentle sound of a well-loved Rosary attached to a habit. Of all people in this world, it was Mother Angelica and two Poor Clare nuns.

Of course, Mother Angelica didn’t judge us for not knowing the responses. As always, she was kind to us and even talked with us after Mass.

This was our first Mass of many. Within several years’ time, my Mom, my Dad, two of my sisters, and I came into the Church. And, without a doubt, Mother Angelica’s witness and love helped each one of us to come Home.

Jennifer R. | Mission Advancement

The Shrine is very special to me and to my personal story with Mother Angelica and EWTN. In November 2005, before the first staff meeting I was to participate in, I spent the night at my dad’s friend’s home who lived in Hanceville, AL. His sister-in-law became one of Mother’s nurses, so he invited me to be his guest. The next morning, they took me to the Shrine to meet Mother. I couldn’t believe it, since it was really unexpected!

I met Mother and spoke with her about many things for about 40 minutes. At that time, I didn’t know she could not talk, but I spoke with her.

I know that day I received a special grace that, for sure, became a milestone in my spiritual life.

Ximena I. | Marketing

In addition to the fact that multiple members of our family and friends have benefited from EWTN over the years, I am especially grateful for how EWTN was a blessing:

… to my father, who prayed the Rosary with EWTN as the closing part of his nighttime ritual as he lay in bed to fall asleep each night.

… to my mother (after my father died) as her constant TV companion, since she enjoyed Mother Angelica and watching shows of Bishop Fulton Sheen. In her final years of convalescing at a nursing home, watching EWTN on her TV was both her spiritual nourishment while bedridden, but also a divine consolation during her sufferings.

… my older son’s essay (which Mother Angelica put into one of her 1999 newsletters), in which he talked at the age of 13 about his incurable disease of cystic fibrosis and how it was a blessing that brought him closer to God.

… the time my younger son’s Catholic school kindergarten teacher pulled my wife aside after school, saying that she needed to talk to her about something he said in class. [My wife] was a little concerned, worried about what he might have said that prompted this. When they talked, the teacher recapped how the class talked about what their parents did for their profession (farmer, teacher, plumber, etc). When it came to his turn, Ben piped up, “My Dad works for God!” So, the teacher asked [my wife] what he meant. So, she smiled and explained that I worked for EWTN and that EWTN is God’s TV network. It was a joy to know that even the youngest member of our family understood this!

Chris W. | Former Employee

I have the show’s music intro theme to Mother Angelica Live engraved in my memory, and every time I hear any of those music intros, my eyes begin to water, I get goosebumps, and my mind takes me back to those days. Naturally, I pause to enjoy, over and over again, the gift that God finally granted my “impossible” wish of many years: to be part of EWTN—and it happened at the most unlikely, humanly impossible, and illogical time.

The EWTN job offer letter came on the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels (also the patron saint of Costa Rica [where I’m from]) in 2009. Any doubts Our Most Blessed Mother brought me here?

I came into EWTN after Mother Angelica’s time, so I did not work with her, but I had the chance to meet her briefly in early June 2003 at the Shrine with my mom, and then a second time that same year, with my dad. It was up at the Shrine where I met Mother for the first time ever.

Mom, Dad, and I treasure those moments we spent with Mother Angelica in the parlor at the Shrine—and how she extended her hands through the grill, tightly held our hands, and looked so deeply into our souls. It was an instant connection. We felt so “at home” with her, and we felt great peace and joy. She had already suffered a stroke and could not get through most of her sentences. She tried and tried and then tried a third time to finish the phrase and would get stuck on the same word. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled—but that was absolutely no obstacle to have the most pleasant and wonderful conversation with her. Right then, she was setting an example of perseverance—yet also an example of acceptance, all at the same time. … Every time I remember these precious moments, I still freeze in time.

Elena R. | Marketing