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Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles
: This is one of the most exciting, well written biographies to come out in a very long time. Its about an underprivileged woman who became a cloistered nun and changed the world. Mother Angelica is a woman who somehow balanced real orthodoxy with brilliant management vision and skill without what seems any worldly qualifications whatsoever. Moreover, here's is a story of overcoming great suffering -- both physical and emotional -- and allowing God to transform her life without ever looking back or counting the cost. (It's worth noting too this is no saccharine sweet nun's story, to be sure!) This wonderful biography really shows us she is "The Patron Saint of CEOs" -- and patron of anyone else who by God's grace, must overcome a legion of what seem like insurmountable problems. Mother Angelica's life turns our natural aversion to personal suffering on its head and makes clear that miracles really do happen. --Enjoy.
M. Hart
Volant, PA
Read this excellent biography of Mother Angelica and discover just how much she has suffered to do God's Will. Raymond Arroyo weaves a fascinating tale of the sickly, unwanted child who rises to become arguably the most powerful woman in the world, controlling a broadcasting empire reachin into 100 million homes around the globe.
Arroyo does not sugar-coat his portrayal of Mother's life, as someone so close to her might well be suspected of doing. Nor is this simply a digest of Mother's reminisces. Arroyo has done plenty of his own research and interviews to present the fact surrounding Mother.
The tale of her early life, with it's suffering and lonliness, makes for good reading. Who can not relate to her on some level? The tales of life in the cloister are interesting and surprising. But the most intriguing part of the story, for me, comes with World Youth Day 1993. From that time until Mother's stepping down as Chairman of the Board in 2000 there is a mass of political wrangling between Mother, EWTN, the Bishops' Conference and the Vatican. As a viewer of EWTN during this time, I had little idea of the huge amount of intrigue behind the scenes.
Arroyo's writing style is engaging, although he does tend to change the way he refers to himself throughout the book. Sometimes in the first person, "I" or "me," sometimes as "the author" or "this author." One style carried through would have been easier on the reader. Otherwise, aside from some errors on the dates in the photo section, the book is wonderfully written.
For some time now I have regarded Mother Angelica as a personal hero. To me she epitomizes the worldly savvy of any major CEO, at the same time that she utterly relies on God for any and all direction. Raymond has colorfully captured the life of this incredible woman in a book that is so very enjoyable to read, and that never bogs down in the complicated facts, twists, and turns that make up the fabric of Mother Angelica's life. Read this book - if you loved her before, you will gain an even deeper admiration for her. If you didn't like her, you will likely gain an appreciation for her and what she has accomplished for the Catholic Church and for her beloved Jesus. She is certainly a role model for me, and I am grateful to Raymond for giving me a marvelous glimpse into her life.
Raymond Arroyo really "fleshes out" the television personality of Mother Angelica and presents an honest portrait of a woman who has been driven her entire life to try to understand God's will in her life, and then to *DO IT.* So much is written about prominent religious people that comes across as "too good to be true." This writing, called "hagiography," threatens to undermine a reader's spiritual journey because one's "model" appears impossible to emulate. In this book, Mother Angelica is presented "warts and all." And the good news? You'll learn (as she did) from her struggles and setbacks. The best news? This book will make you love her more.
I was at a very low ebb in my spiritual life when I picked up my brand new copy of Mr. Arroyo's book last week and started reading. Within minutes, my depression was totally lifted. The word "inspiring" seems feeble indeed to express the tremendous sense of awe one feels upon reading of the depthless devotion of Mother Angelica to her Spouse, Jesus, and her life's complete dedication to Him. I had no idea of the mountainous obstacles Mother has faced physically, nor her humble beginnings. This book is absolutely riveting from the first page, I will read it again and again. Never have I felt so blessed to be a
Catholic, what a mighty God we serve!
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