Mother Angelica knew from experience that \u201cGod works through humble, unexpected instruments to spread his Gospel,\u201d said the principal celebrant at the Mass, Father Michael Baggot, LC.<\/p>\n
A memorial Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica was held on the 10th anniversary of the death of Mother Angelica, the foundress of EWTN, the world\u2019s largest Catholic media network.<\/p>\n
The principal celebrant at the Mass, Father Michael Baggot, LC, a bioethics professor, recalled in his homily in the basilica\u2019s Chapel of the Choir that Mother Angelica \u201cconveyed the faith with wit and wisdom.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHer message was both consoling and challenging,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Father Michael Baggot, LC, delivers the homily at the memorial Mass for Mother Angelica celebrated at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica on March 27, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
\u201cMother Angelica understood that the fruitfulness of the apostolate depends on union with the Lord. What she proclaimed on air, she first pondered in adoration,\u201d Baggot continued. \u201cMother Angelica also knew from experience that God works through humble, unexpected instruments to spread his Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the homily, Baggot praised Mother Angelica\u2019s determination and repeated one of her famous quotes about serving the Lord, even when it seems difficult and frightening.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Mother said, \u2018You want to do something for the Lord \u2026 do it. Whatever you feel needs to be done, even though you\u2019re shaking in your boots, you\u2019re scared to death \u2014 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\u2019s doing nothing when you\u2019re afraid.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Baggot said it is \u201cfitting\u201d to honor Mother Angelica just two days after the celebration of the Annunciation and in a chapel \u201cdedicated to Our Lady.\u201d He said the Blessed Mother was also \u201cdeeply troubled by the angel\u2019s message\u201d and both \u201cafraid\u201d and \u201cscared,\u201d but she trusted God.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore such a daunting mission, she abandoned herself to Divine Providence. She was sustained by a love greater than any fear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Attendees at the memorial Mass for Mother Angelica at the Vatican on March 27, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
In view of the testimony of the Virgin Mary \u2014 whom he defined as the \u201cdefinitive bearer of the Eternal Word\u201d \u2014 the priest highlighted that Mother Angelica\u2019s life also reflected the paschal mystery, including her suffering following a stroke in 2001. \u201cMother knew from Mary that the \u2018fiat\u2019 given in youth must be renewed at the foot of the cross,\u201d Baggot noted.<\/p>\n
Baggot added that because Mother Angelica followed God\u2019s calling, EWTN is accessible in hundreds of millions of homes in more than 160 countries and territories, and \u201cits programs reach areas where conflict or persecution deprives citizens of other means of religious formation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further commended the network for continuing to be a beacon of beauty and inspiration. <\/p>\n
Although EWTN \u201chas outgrown its first Alabama garage,\u201d he said, \u201cit has never outgrown \u2014 and could never outgrow \u2014 the reliance on Divine Providence that characterized Mother Angelica\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, EWTN marked the anniversary with special programming throughout the day, including \u201cRemembering Mother Angelica, 10 Years Later.\u201d <\/p>\n
The EWTN Global Catholic Network is broadcasting these events across its television and digital platforms \u2014 including its\u00a0YouTube channel, the streaming platform EWTN+, and live and on-demand at\u00a0www.ewtn.com\u00a0\u2014 making the tribute to Mother Angelica\u2019s life and legacy accessible to viewers worldwide.<\/p>\n
This article was originally published by EWTN News English. Almudena Mart\u00ednez-Bordi\u00fa contributed to this report.<\/p>\n