I was watching TV with my Protestant husband when we clicked past EWTN, the Eternal Word Television Network (DISH Network channel 261). He was briefly fascinated, especially when a prayer for the network itself flashed across the screen. Sitcoms and reality TV ain't got nothin' on EWTN's product placement. I mean, NBC has GM at its back, but EWTN? Don't tick off that sponsor.
It's the most Catholic network that ever Catholiced. Since it's funded by donations ("Remember to keep us between your gas and electric bill!" viewers are exhorted), the network runs entirely without commercials, except for promotions concerning upcoming programs on the channel itself. EWTN's website features whichever saint the Catholic Church honors on that particular day of its feast day calendar.
EWTN is truly homegrown, with 1981 Wayne's World-like beginnings in a monastery garage. Mother Mary Angelica of the Poor Claires of Perpetual Adoration, now the face of the network, broadcast four hours a day to about 60,000 homes. By 1987, the little station, which was first encouraged by the Christian Broadcasting Network's Pat Robertson, had gone national. Mother Angelica Live became a staple, and sometimes the brown-habited nun advertised religious articles such as books, statues, Rosaries, and Bibles for sale to support her mission.
Today, EWTN is the global place to be during major moments of American Catholic life; coverage of Pope Benedict's visit earlier this year was wall to wall, a phenomenon only matched by the puff-by-puff coverage of his election in 2006. Looped broadcasts of Pope John Paul II's funeral and the following installation of his successor allowed Catholics around the world to witness the goings-on in Rome. And this summer, correspondents and crews were sent to Australia to cover World Youth Day.
Daily Mass is broadcast as well, and although Mother Angelica is unwell after suffering from a series of strokes, her advice is still distributed via reruns of Mother Angelica Live. Oh, and you can still buy a Rosary or two.
