BISMARCK, ND (Catholic Online) -  Today, Catholic radio operates in over 200 markets in the U.S. in addition to the Internet and Sirius Radio.  But fifteen years ago, the Catholic airwaves were much quieter until a revolution of sorts began in Ann Arbor, MI. It is the home to the University of Michigan, a city identified as a seedbed of learning.

When the signal was turned on for Ave Maria Radio at 1290 AM, WDEO ("DEO" is Latin for God) a new kind of learning began-the Catholic faith on the airwaves.  There had been glimpses of Catholic radio through a music station and rented "Catholic Hours" on secular and Christian stations, but this was to be a fully-programmed Catholic station.

In 1996, Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN Global Network, the world's largest religious broadcasting enterprise, offered free programing to any Catholic radio station. It was a mission appeal, for radio was either secular or Protestant Christian then.  Tom Monaghan, Domino's Pizza founder and former owner of the Detroit Tigers, accepted the offer. He leased 1290 AM in Ann Arbor and hired Al Kresta, a former pastor and recent convert to the faith to run the station and the first Catholic radio ministry in the U.S. was born.

"My wife Sally and I had been praying for direction for two years," Kresta explained. "We were living in Detroit when Tom offered me the job to become a media missionary and move to Ann Arbor." The Krestas moved to Detroit with their five children; one more would be born in Ann Arbor.  When he left Detroit in April of 1997, Kresta thought he was moving to a smaller market, never suspecting that one day, Ave Maria Radio would have a world-reach with syndicated programs picked up by the very network that launched them.

The station was so small at that time that it actually did not physically exist. "I learned that there was no studio. There was nothing but a computer and a leased signal,"  Kresta recalled. By August, however, a studio had been built.  And in spite of growing pains, Kresta said he and Sally never doubted his decision to work for Ave Maria Communications - a station named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Success and Suffering

Four years into the operation, the station seemed to be prospering spiritually and the first pledge drive was a success. Kresta had just reported on the extraordinary support that had from over 1,200 pledges. The atmosphere at the station was euphoric.  It was then that Monaghan, a devout Catholic, issued a warning.  "Well, if we're doing what we're supposed to be doing, the devil won't take it lying down," Monaghan said.  "You'd better be ready for spiritual combat."

According to Kresta, Monaghan's words were prophetic. In February of 2003, Kresta blamed overwork and not taking better care of himself for getting run down. He stayed home from work and had a priest friend bring him Holy Communion. Again, there seemed to be a premonition here. He said to his friend, "I don't know what's going on, but I feel like I have spiritual log jam and Our Lord is going to have to do something and I'm afraid it's going to be painful."

That following Monday, he was rushed to St. Joseph Mercy hospital and unable to walk.  Pain from his lower back shot through to his left leg. His blood pressure dropped so low, he could not take any pain medication for hours until it was brought back up. A flesh-eating bacteria was attacking Kresta's leg. Antibiotics seemed unable to stop it.  The only hope was emergency.
Fr. John Riccardo visited Kresta on the day of his surgery. "He asked me to offer up my sufferings for the sake of the Church and the openness of all men and women to hear the Gospel." 

Coming out of a 5-day induced coma to aid in his recovery, Kresta made a sound through his breathing tube in his throat to get his 12-year old son's James' attention. James ran to the waiting room to get his older sister, Alexis, then 21, who immediately went to Kresta's bedside.
"Did they save my leg?," he asked. 

"Well, what did the doctor say to you before surgery?"

"He said I could lose my life or I could lose my leg."

"Dad, they took your leg."

Kresta said he did not feel sad. "The message came through clearly. "At that moment, I did not grieve for my lost leg, because in comparison to my life, it was not so important."
He determined that he would use his time of suffering. "I did not want to forget why I was there. I wanted my personal life in order, to become more like Christ and receive sanctity, and in that way the work, the ministry would flow from that."
 
Not Alone

Kresta did not suffer alone.  During this time, his wife also became hospitalized with cellulitis on the same leg. It was a completely different disease but also very serious. ...