Mother Angelica’s enduring legacy celebrated at Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica

A memorial Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was held on the 10th anniversary of the death of Mother Angelica, the foundress of EWTN, the world’s largest Catholic media network.

The principal celebrant at the Mass, Father Michael Baggot, LC, a bioethics professor, recalled in his homily in the basilica’s Chapel of the Choir that Mother Angelica “conveyed the faith with wit and wisdom.”

“Her message was both consoling and challenging,” he said.

“Mother Angelica understood that the fruitfulness of the apostolate depends on union with the Lord. What she proclaimed on air, she first pondered in adoration,” Baggot continued. “Mother Angelica also knew from experience that God works through humble, unexpected instruments to spread his Gospel.”

During the homily, Baggot praised Mother Angelica’s determination and repeated one of her famous quotes about serving the Lord, even when it seems difficult and frightening.

“As Mother said, ‘You want to do something for the Lord … do it. Whatever you feel needs to be done, even though you’re shaking in your boots, you’re scared to death — take the first step forward. The grace comes with that one step and you get the grace as you step. Being afraid is not a problem; it’s doing nothing when you’re afraid.’”

Baggot said it is “fitting” to honor Mother Angelica just two days after the celebration of the Annunciation and in a chapel “dedicated to Our Lady.” He said the Blessed Mother was also “deeply troubled by the angel’s message” and both “afraid” and “scared,” but she trusted God.

“Before such a daunting mission, she abandoned herself to Divine Providence. She was sustained by a love greater than any fear,” he said.

In view of the testimony of the Virgin Mary — whom he defined as the “definitive bearer of the Eternal Word” — the priest highlighted that Mother Angelica’s life also reflected the paschal mystery, including her suffering following a stroke in 2001. “Mother knew from Mary that the ‘fiat’ given in youth must be renewed at the foot of the cross,” Baggot noted.

Baggot added that because Mother Angelica followed God’s calling, EWTN is accessible in hundreds of millions of homes in more than 160 countries and territories, and “its programs reach areas where conflict or persecution deprives citizens of other means of religious formation.”

He further commended the network for continuing to be a beacon of beauty and inspiration.

Although EWTN “has outgrown its first Alabama garage,” he said, “it has never outgrown — and could never outgrow — the reliance on Divine Providence that characterized Mother Angelica’s life.”

In addition to the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, EWTN marked the anniversary with special programming throughout the day, including “Remembering Mother Angelica, 10 Years Later.”

The EWTN Global Catholic Network is broadcasting these events across its television and digital platforms — including its YouTube channel, the streaming platform EWTN+, and live and on-demand at www.ewtn.com — making the tribute to Mother Angelica’s life and legacy accessible to viewers worldwide.