Mother Angelica Continues Her Recovery From A Stroke 
As She Celebrated Her 79th Birthday on April 20th

Irondale, AL (EWTN) "Mother Angelica is back in full swing and is taking part in all of the Monastery’s daily activities," according to Sister Mary Catherine, Mother Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama. 

"She is with us at meals, for Mass, for the Divine Office and community prayers," said Sister Mary Catherine and further commented, "Mother Angelica continues to spend at least two hours a day in the chapel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament." 

Mother Angelica has been recovering from the effects of a stroke she suffered at the Monastery on Christmas Eve that left her with speech impairment.

Sister Mary Catherine remarked that while Mother Angelica very much wants to return to EWTN and to her weekly television program, Mother feels her speech has not yet sufficiently improved to make that possible. "She is continuing her weekly speech therapy sessions with the hope of returning to the network sometime in the future," she said.

Father Andrew Apostoli, of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, visited with Mother Angelica in Hanceville earlier this week and found "Mother looking cheerful and radiant." He said, "I asked Mother to pray for me and she took my hand in hers and quietly offered her prayers. I was very touched by her warmth."

On April 20th, the Nuns prepared a surprise party to celebrate Mother Angelica’s 79th birthday. They began blowing up balloons at around 4:00 AM. Two hours later, 380 balloons, several bouquets of flowers, small gifts and cards from well wishers were in place as Mother entered the room for Morning Prayers and acknowledged the birthday greetings with a smile and a glint in her eye.

Prayers from around the world for Mother’s recovery continue to be placed in the Spiritual Bouquet on EWTN’s website (www.ewtn.com). Network President, Michael Warsaw, reports that since Mother was hospitalized in December supporters have offered more than 320,000 Rosaries, 53,000 Novenas, 172,000 Masses, 83,000 Holy Hours and 603,000 Our Fathers and other prayers.