Since its 25th anniversary in 2006, the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), founded by Mother Angelica, has held regular “Family Celebrations,” which are conferences that bring together the viewers and the on-air personalities for an opportunity to visit with one another and, by means of prayer, the Eucharist, confession, and inspiring and informative talks, to build up and equip the EWTN Family.
The power of television, radio, internet and social media indeed creates the dynamic for a true family to form. I have been privileged to be part of that family ever since Mother Angelica first had me on her live show in 1994, and asked me the next day to produce a series for EWTN about abortion and the pro-life movement.
Known as “Defending Life,” it became the longest-running, farthest-reaching series on abortion ever produced.
And at the EWTN Family Celebration that took place in McLean, VA this past Saturday, August 30th, I was again able to experience the warmth and spiritual fervor of the EWTN family as I greeted viewers from all around the country, and spent time with the various show hosts and staff of EWTN, some of whom I have worked with for decades.
The theme of the one-day conference was the same as the motto of Pope Leo XIV, “In the One, We are One.”
The various talks by people like Michael Warsaw, the Chairman and CEO of EWTN, Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe, MFVA, Dr. Matthew Bunson, Msgr. Roger Landry, Montse Alvarado, Catherine Hadro, and others, emphasized that this unity is rooted in the truth of Christ’s Gospel – indeed, the “Eternal Word,” from which flows EWTN’s very mission and name.
Mother Angelica was known, of course, for her fierce fidelity to that truth, and her ability to explain and apply it in such a simple, understandable, and humorous way that people flocked to listen to her.
During the course of the presentations, Michael Warsaw pointed out that the 45th anniversary of EWTN is approaching in 2026, and that will coincide with the 10th anniversary of Mother Angelica’s death (Easter Sunday of 2016). He mentioned that her cause for canonization – the impetus for which grows organically among the people of God – will hopefully be ready for formal introduction in Rome.
The conference also featured Dr. Ray Guarendi, a psychologist and EWTN host, who, as always, presented practical, spiritually sound and humorous advice for parents in raising their children.
There was also a panel discussion of the EWTN hosts who covered the papal transition earlier this year. They shared the deeply moving moments of that event, and the reasons why it captured the attention of the whole world.
The unity for which Pope Leo calls and which EWTN wants to promote was manifested best, of course, as the local bishop – Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington – came at the end of the day to celebrate the Eucharist – the sign and cause of the Church’s unity. It was a joyous celebration, and in an exemplary pastoral gesture, the bishop was in no hurry to leave. He greeted every person who wanted to say hello to him, remaining until the last people left.
The Family Celebration, like the ministry of Pope Leo XIV, was marked by a strong missionary spirit. We who hold to the truth are called to proclaim it. Jim Pinto, another EWTN host who spoke at the conference (and served for a time on the pastoral team of my ministry, Priests for Life), spoke about the “Media Missionaries” of EWTN who help to bring to the attention of their own parishes and communities the wealth of educational and devotional programming available through the network.
This missionary spirit has also brought EWTN to restructure and rebrand its mission. “EWTN Next” aims to reach the next generation with a new emphasis on social media and other online platforms. The mission of the network expresses itself in “EWTN Studios,” “EWTN News,” and “EWTN Digital,” representing three main avenues by which the Eternal Word will continue to be presented and explained.
It was a joy to be with the EWTN Family for this celebration, and it was clear that Mother Angelica’s spirit of dedication to unity in the truth, and in the zeal to proclaim it, is alive and well.
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