- Feb 5, 2002
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EWTN foundress’ signature wit underscores her timeless advice.
Mother Angelica had the knack for always providing the right advice — including for Lent.
And all of this wisdom can be rewatched, thanks to EWTN.
Once in her memorable, timeless reflections about Lenten penances and Ash Wednesday, she said, “I never saw anyone that gave up sweets during Lent that lost a pound — not a pound! Why? Because your motive is wrong. See, for Lent, you’re supposed to give up something that’s lasting — ’cause I know giving up candy isn’t lasting. You know, at Easter, you’re going to gulp down those Easter eggs. You know that. Well, I don’t see the purpose of offering up candy. Why don’t you offer up your temper? [Mother chuckled at this point, and the audience laughed, too.] That’s what I’m going to do for Lent: I want to give up my temper.”
She considered that a needed penance because, another time, she expanded on avoiding anger.
“I need to give up something that I know is wrong in me,” she reflected, “and then perhaps these 40 days will get you in a habit — not this kind of habit [meaning her religious clothing] — but a habit of not losing your temper, a habit of being nice, a habit of being kind. And begin with your family.”
She continued, “Sometimes we’re just so wonderful to people outside; then, when we get home, we’re like bears. ‘What do you want?’ Well, you’d never say that to somebody outside. You’d say, ‘May I help you?’ But if it was home, you’d say, ‘Get it yourself’ [audience laughed in response]. Isn’t that what you’d do?”
Continued below.
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Mother Angelica had the knack for always providing the right advice — including for Lent.
And all of this wisdom can be rewatched, thanks to EWTN.
Once in her memorable, timeless reflections about Lenten penances and Ash Wednesday, she said, “I never saw anyone that gave up sweets during Lent that lost a pound — not a pound! Why? Because your motive is wrong. See, for Lent, you’re supposed to give up something that’s lasting — ’cause I know giving up candy isn’t lasting. You know, at Easter, you’re going to gulp down those Easter eggs. You know that. Well, I don’t see the purpose of offering up candy. Why don’t you offer up your temper? [Mother chuckled at this point, and the audience laughed, too.] That’s what I’m going to do for Lent: I want to give up my temper.”
She considered that a needed penance because, another time, she expanded on avoiding anger.
“I need to give up something that I know is wrong in me,” she reflected, “and then perhaps these 40 days will get you in a habit — not this kind of habit [meaning her religious clothing] — but a habit of not losing your temper, a habit of being nice, a habit of being kind. And begin with your family.”
She continued, “Sometimes we’re just so wonderful to people outside; then, when we get home, we’re like bears. ‘What do you want?’ Well, you’d never say that to somebody outside. You’d say, ‘May I help you?’ But if it was home, you’d say, ‘Get it yourself’ [audience laughed in response]. Isn’t that what you’d do?”
Continued below.
Holy Humor and Lenten Wisdom: Mother Angelica’s Guide to Fasting and Sacrifice
EWTN foundress’ signature wit underscores her timeless advice.
