Back in the late 1980's,when I turned on my TV,I always
enjoyed the fiesty,but no nonsense,Mother Angelica.I didn't
watch her often,due to my work schedule,but when I did I always
had a laugh and agreed with Mother.Even though she was a contemplative nun,Mother was not sheltered entirely from the
world.She encouraged people to call in without fear with
their questions,she had seen all manner of sin.
After reading her page turning biography,I realized she had
seen it all.Born to Italian-American parents in Canton,Ohio,
she grew up in the poverty of an immigrant ghetto.During the
Depression with two divorced parents,a real stigma then,she
sat on the steps of her Grandpa's saloon,taking in the sights
of the life around her.Innocently,she was only five years old,
she would talk to the prostitutes on the street corner.
She witnessed first hand the gangsters who controlled the
neighborhood with their corruption and taking of human life.
For the rest of her life,this made her strong and willing to fight against the evils perpetuated against the poor and
helpless.
An extremely intelligent woman,she entered the Convent
very young.With her total reliance upon God,she built a
satellite empire,with her friend Bill Steltemeier,to preach
and teach the Gospels to the entire world.I never realized
how she struggled with illness and the dissension within her
own ranks.With Papal approval,she kept on with her mission,
at times becomming dissuaded but always trying for more.
For a little girl unwanted by her biological Father,she
found peace relying on her Heavenly Father.In her humble
way,she became a figure people could turn to for help.Her
latest stroke in 2005,has rendered her speechless,a great
trial for a verbal woman.Sister Angelica throughout,tells
the strenghth and grace suffering brings to a weary world
in need of redemption.
I highly recommend this book for people of all Faiths...
it would be a treasured Christmas present for many.

This biography is remarkably honest. I expected a rather sweet story about a person that I have heard of but know very little about. Instead, we learn of a very, very difficult childhood (unavailable father; nervous, stressed out mother trying to support her and her child) full of disappointment and pain. And the convent she Mother Angelica enters (she was then Rita Rizzo) is not exactly a happy place, either, what with some of the nuns in what sounds like fullblown schizophrenia, or at least some serious personality disorders. But she persevered, founded her own monastery where a more family and happy spirit apparently prevails. She is to be highly commended for this. And it would be enough. But, in addition, she has proven to be a formidable businesswoman and media personality. Truly remarkable for a woman that barely had the grades to graduate from high school, yet is obviously a sort of genius. I think the thing that impressed me the most is how she transcended the pain in her life. There were things I didn't care about in the book -- her conservatism, the interest in stigmatists, etc (tho, to be fair, she was very young at the time), and bringing her mother into the monastery who really didn't seem to have much of a vocation. But in balance, she has done wonderful work and has certainly created a wonderful Poor Clare monastery.