Mother Angelica on Suffering and Burnout

by Mother Angelica

From the spiritual writings and reflections of Mother Angelica comes this lucid and life-transforming book for anyone who struggles with suffering, or finds difficulty in persevering in your daily responsibilities. Mother Angelica provides consolation and advice that only a spiritual mother can provide, helping you to understand the purpose of suffering, how it can be redemptive, and when to know you re allowing your suffering to go to waste. You'll also learn about dryness in prayer and how it can be a gift, as well as how to respond to what she alls spiritual hangovers. You'll learn how Christ is closest to you when He is silent, and how His silence can be one of the most powerful and purifying elements of the spiritual life. Finally, Mother Angelica shows you that what Jesus needs most from you is gratitude, trust, and, indeed, weakness. Follow the advice Mother Angelica offers in these pages, and you'll soon find yourself consoled and reawakened to the generous grace God is daily offering to you.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 23, 2017

About the author

Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA (born Rita Antoinette Rizzo; April 20, 1923 – March 27, 2016), usually known as Mother Angelica, was an American Franciscan nun best known as a television personality and the founder of both the internationally-broadcast cable television network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the radio network WEWN.

In 1981, Mother Angelica started broadcasting religious programs from a converted garage in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the next twenty years, she developed a media network that included radio, TV, and internet channels as well as printed media.

Mother Angelica hosted shows on EWTN until she had a stroke in 2001. She continued to live in the cloistered monastery in Hanceville until her death at age 92 on March 27, 2016, Easter Sunday.

In 2009, Mother Angelica was a recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award granted by Pope Benedict XVI for services to the Catholic Church.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

You either love or despise Mother Angelica.

Most folks do the latter. I myself do the former, except when complaining about my searing burnout - as tonight.

The sharp experience of the pain I curse is at times like that the one thing that saves me from plunging into the Pit.

So says Mother Angelica.

If you mock such weighty words as that, I hope you’ve Fireproofed your Pit. You’ll need it.

Every one of us is part of it, one way or the other - we ALL

Return to that Eternal Fire
That burns before the ice cap reigns.
***

Burnout is the penultimate stop on the Road to Mount Carmel. That book, by the way, is the new conversation piece in our Catholic Book Group. If you’re a member of the Church, you’re welcome to eavesdrop in July. I think you’ll like our membership.

Burnout, then, may be something that happens to all serious Christians eventually - I, for one, would hazard - and whatever your understanding of the expression, the burning of burnout never ends, or burns out.

Apparently, according to Juan de la Cruz, the author of Carmel, it is mitigated only in total union with the Cross.

According to St Paul, at that point we once more connect fully with our bodily pains. That experience at burnout’s conclusion will be proof to us, according to him, of divine Resurrection Power.

Now, this is mystical indeed, and I ask you to bear with me.

The only reason we don’t experience our bodies’ pains acutely, the way they would seem to us if we were still an infant - is not so much the illusion that we’ll stay Forever Young - but that which blocks the pain of growing old out...

Our socially-ingrained Distancing from ourselves.

But if you decide, like Mother Angelica and my own twenty-year-old self in 1970, to find the truth of yourself, at the cost of losing your phony self, you’ll be in for a rough trip when you get to Mount Carmel.

For there, your pain will achieve maximum strength and focus...

Like a magnifying glass held to the sun -

Against your exposed skin!

And the trick is to cheerfully tolerate it as long as you can!
***

Yes, burnout REALLY burns:

But its fire can become a Beacon to many, many lost souls -

Who seek light in what is truly a Time of Utter Darkness.

And for many Christians, Mother Angelica IS that Beacon.

[Beata Rawdanowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has potential to change lives. I will definitely re read this more carefully in the near future and recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better human.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Suffering and Burnout is a small purple hardcover book that is actually six previously publishing mini-books that were originally published in the 1970s. The current book is divided into three sections - suffering, burnout, and consolation. Each section has two "chapters" within it. The first chapter addresses the concept of the healing power of suffering. This starts off by talking about the purpose of suffering and then leads into different types of suffering - preventative, corrective, repentant, and redemptive. The chapter then further develops redemptive suffering by talking about how Jesus suffered and what we can do to make our suffering matter instead of wasting it. The first chapter in the Burnout section talking about spiritual dryness. She explains that this dryness, though it happens to everyone, is paradoxical because it seems the more we strive to be closer to God, the further we grow apart. She then goes on to tell us that we must not become discouraged by this dryness, but use it become more patient, more humble, and learn to persevere. The chapters on consolation talk heavily on God's silent presence and how God needs us. That sounds so odd to say, but we play an important role in salvation history, so God uses us and relies on us to accomplish his mission.

As I sat reading this book recently, I kept saying to myself, "Giving this book a purple cover was brilliant." I know that's a weird thing to say, but this is the perfect book to read about halfway during Lent. Why? Because Lent can be a difficult and challenging time. We are out in the desert, sacrificing, and trying to become better people for the glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The other thought I had while reading this book is that, Mother Angelica was a very wise woman who had a powerful relationship with Jesus. I read that she wrote these mini-books while before the Blessed Sacrament, and reading through her words you definitely pick up on that. Her writing is full of truth that is both personal and universal. If you are experiencing suffering or burnout in your spiritual life, then this is a must-read book for you.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Angelica is a legend of EWTN, an internationally broadcast Catholic programming network that can be accessed through a range of mediums. Mother Angelica is perhaps most commonly known for her rosary hours on the EWTN channel, but her words of wisdom and practices of faith have indeed made her a role model for many. In her book on suffering and burnout, Mother Angelica explains things in such a way that even suffering takes on a new meaning in this perspective-altering book. A fantastic read for anyone, that incorporates spiritual advice, compassion, and Scripture into a book that will touch your heart and spirit with words that will affirm God's love, as well as your place in His plan.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that has felt dryness in prayer or unable to feel God's presence. Mother Angelica offers spiritual insights into what God is calling us to in these times of suffering or feeling burnt out.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

There were some very nice thoughts, but I found it difficult to get through. Could be that it just isn’t written for me or I am not ready for it.