This Week in Christian History: EWTN Launches, Francis Xavier Goes to Japan, Pope Attacks Talmud

EWTN Begins Broadcasting - August 15, 1981

This week marks the anniversary of when Eternal Word Television Network, one of the largest religious media entities in the world, was founded.

Founded by Mother Angelica, EWTN was first broadcast from a television studio that was originally a monastery garage for 4 hours a day to approximately 60,000 homes.

Reportedly the first Catholic satellite television station in the United States, EWTN often financially struggled in its early years, with Mother Angelica incurring millions of dollars of debt.

"You want to do something for the Lord ... do it. Whatever you feel needs to be done, even though you're shaking in your books, you're scared to death – take the first step forward," stated EWTN's founder.

"The grace comes with that one step and you get the grace as you step. Being afraid is not a problem; it's doing nothing when you're afraid."

In the present day, EWTN boasts 11 networks in multiple languages, broadcasting to approximately 268 million homes across the world.