My wife shared the news with me tonight that Mother Angelica passed away on Easter. When I was a new Catholic I remember watching her occasionally on EWTN and loving just listening to her grandmotherly voice. Granted, EWTN is an organization that is the polar opposite of me on the political spectrum, but I made an exception every now and then for Mother Angelica.

She was a woman who deserved respect. Not only did she start a media empire that focused on Catholicism, but she did it as a woman. That was something that was hard to find even in secular media. Yet, she persevered and showed determination and strength in accomplishing what she felt was God’s work.

She was a wonderful light in the world, and no matter my differences with her, she was a joyful person that was a fun memory of where my journey in Catholicism began.