Mother Angelica: Heaven Can Wait

(997 words, 5 minutes read time.)

I recall hearing Mother Angelica once confess on EWTN that she had an encounter with God (of some kind).

She told Him, “Lord, I don’t think I’m ready. And that’s alright.”

And He sent her back.

She was essentially bedridden for about fifteen years following the strokes she suffered in 2001, until her death on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Mother viewed those years as a hidden vocation of suffering and purification.

Raymond Arroyo, her close friend, described those final years as her “grand silence”—a hidden life of prayer and suffering offered for souls.

After all her active ministry was taken away, her final years became the fulfillment of everything she had so long and lovingly preached about: trust, surrender, and God’s holy will.

Whenever I am tempted to think my hidden life bears little fruit, Mother Angelica reminds me that God often does His greatest work in silence.

That is why the lives of those who are disabled and unable to work, the homebound, the elderly, those in nursing homes or dementia care, and the terminally ill have tremendous influence over the salvation of souls and the turning of the world.

Their sufferings and prayers, lovingly offered to God, are a power to be reckoned with.

Souls hidden from the eyes of the world may be accomplishing more than they could ever imagine. Their lives, surrendered into God’s hands, can work miracles—hidden miracles that will only be fully revealed when they stand before Him face-to-face.

Praise the Lord!

Jesus revealed to St. Faustina the immense power of prayer and suffering offered in union with Him. Hidden souls often accomplish more for the salvation of souls than can ever be seen on earth. Their hidden sacrifices may obtain more graces than the most visible works of even missionaries! (Diary, 1767)

I still watch Mother Angelica, whose programs are re-aired several days a week on EWTN’s various international television networks through the App and Roku.

Her ministry and her words from the heart still lift my soul and encourage me in my walk with Jesus.

Her humor always has a way of making me smile or laugh with Jesus and feel His embrace.

Her message will live on forever:

Trust Jesus.

Love Jesus.

Follow Jesus.

Her response to Jesus in that encounter was that of a holy heart.

And she asked to go back.

At another time, Mother Angelica expressed that she wanted every treatment, every tube, every wire, and every ordinary means necessary to keep her alive for as long as God desired. Her reasoning was simple yet profound: each additional day was another opportunity to receive God’s love, to love Him in return, and to obtain graces for souls.

What a striking example of heroic virtue. Rather than longing to escape suffering, she desired to use every remaining moment for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

She desired to be a spotless bride for Him.

She cared deeply about saving souls—souls who have no one to pray for them, souls who might otherwise be lost forever.

She cared for the suffering, the hurting, the homebound, and those trapped in sin.

Through her television ministry, she passionately sought to reach even one of those souls through the airwaves.

Her latter suffering reached her audience in an even more profound and tangible way.

Those of us who live hidden lives, or endure hidden suffering in our bodies, relationships, or circumstances, can do the same.

We can unite our crosses to Jesus and offer them to Him.

Through the purifying fire of suffering, He can bring healing to our souls and obtain conversion, strength, grace, and salvation for countless souls around the world who are in need of spiritual friends and prayer.

It is life-changing when we reach the point in our spiritual growth where our eyes are fixed on purification and the salvation of souls.

We move beyond asking, “Why me?”

We move beyond discouragement and the temptation to turn away from God.

Instead, we look up to Him and ask:

“What do You want me to learn from this?”

“How do You want me to use it?”

The saints caution us not to waste suffering by failing to offer it up.

God is so good that He often brings to mind, through our conversations and circumstances, the people for whom we can offer our sufferings.

Or we can simply offer them to Our Blessed Mother and allow her to choose the souls most in need—and the needs within ourselves that her wisdom sees more clearly than we do.

I often pray:

“Please pray for the intentions Mother Mary has for me and for my souls.”

Because she knows exactly what we and others need in this very moment.

Otherwise, I may completely miss it and pray according to my own limited understanding.

And even more, she purifies our offerings and prayers and presents them to God with great love.

This is one reason why Marian consecration is such a beautiful gift.

We learn to entrust ourselves, our prayers, our sufferings, our possessions, our desires, our plans, our entire lives, and even our eternal salvation to her maternal care.

Mother Mary is the greatest of all saints. She carried Jesus within her very womb. She intercedes for all her children’s needs and lovingly watches over us.

The closer we are to Mary, the closer we are to Jesus, and the nearer we draw to holiness.

May the Lord give us the grace to desire and seek the fullness of His plans for us in this one life, especially through purification and prayer for souls.

One day, we shall see those souls in Heaven and receive an outpouring of gratitude from those who were helped through our prayers and sacrifices.

All because of our “yes” to God’s plans.

His plans are always better than our own.

May He show us the way and guide us.

Amen.

Reference: Mother Angelica episode 10/24/2000 “Elections”