This is from a letter of St. John of Avila, a new Doctor of the Church. The original book from 1631 is found here.
Category Archives: Saints and Blesseds
Bl. Miguel Pro — The Movie
When I saw For Greater Glory, I noticed that Bl. Miguel Pro was noticeably absent, but I also thought, “But there is a movie about him already.” A portrayal of his execution is present at the end of the movie, but there doesn’t seem to be any mention of him otherwise.
Yes, there was a movie made about Bl. Miguel Pro. It’s not the greatest, but it does exist. The original title is Rain for a Dusty Summer, but it is currently marketed on DVD as Guns of the Revolution.
It’s a low budget movie made in 1971 using “Spaghetti Western” techniques–filmed in Spain mainly.
Overall, it’s fair, but there are some hilarious scenes of Bl. Miguel Pro hiding in plain sight and evading the authorities. It shows that an excellent movie could be made about him. It would put the audience in stitches.
The performance of Fr. Humberto Almazán as Padre Miguel Pro is excellent. He actually is a priest, and was when he acted the role! He brings out the clowning, playful character of the blessed who, by keeping things light, was able to help people during a very difficult time in Mexican history.
Quotes from St. Maximilian Kolbe
I’ve got a book filled with great quotes from St. Maximilian Kolbe (Maria Was His Middle Name). Here’s an example:
“[Mary’s] will does not differ from the will of God. Calling upon Her without reserve, you manifest a love for the will of God, for Her will is so perfect that in nothing does it differ from His. Thus you give glory to God that He created so perfect a creature and took Her for His Mother.”
–Letter to a religious brother, 18.IV.1934
“The Immaculate One left this earth, but Her life is deep in the hearts of men and has spread wide and far. If all the souls that have made this earthly pilgrimage could speak, there would be countless ponderous tomes to witness the activity of the Immaculate One, that sensitive mother of souls, purchased by the Precious Blood of her Divine Son…” (From Material for a Book on the Immaculate: Throughout the Ages) (pg. 70)
25th Anniversary of the Beatificaiton of Bl. George Matulaitis-Matulewicz
June 28, 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of this first Lithuanian to be beatified and renovator of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. In Lithuania and for the Marians, this is the “Year of Blessed George.”
Year of Bl. George
The large phrase above is Bl. George’s motto: Conquer Evil with Good.
The Marians in the US have produced a new website about him: Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz.
St. Lawrence of Brindisi’s works in English
This topic has become near and dear to my heart. I would like to point out that all of the Opera Omnia of St. Lawrence of Brindisi has been translated into English by Fr. Vernon Wagner, O.F.M.Cap., of Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, and most of it has been published. All of his sermons are included in the English Opera Omnia, but the Lutheranismi Hypotyposis and his commentary on Genesis are not included. Franciscan University of Steubenville is one of 4 libraries listed on WorldCat that has the English volumes available in their collection. Some of the sets can be found in libraries of Capuchin houses.
It is possible to order this set of St. Lawerence’s works, or individual volumes from the set, direct from the publisher in India. As far as I can tell, shipping is included in the price (even international shipping). To order, visit this page.
Chiara Luce Badano to be Beatified!
Although it is not certain when, I feel that young people all over the world should know that someone who would be younger than me if she were still alive is going to be BEATIFIED. The story of Chiara Luce Badano is very ordinary and yet extremely exceptional. Look at these dates:
Chiara Luce Badano – born October 29, 1971
Died of bone cancer – October 7, 1990
Cause for beatification opened – June 11, 1999
Diocesean Inquiry closed – August 21, 2000
Declared Venerable – July 3, 2008
Miracle Approved – December 9, 2009
Beatification – sometime this year
Now, a photo, of Venerable Chiara
I’m not going to explain her story here. You’ll have to do some more searching on your own to find out why she is noted for sanctity.
UPDATE. Ok, I’ll help a little: Some Information
If you know Italian, listen to her parents talk about her on this TV program: A Sua Immagine
Murder in the Cathedral – audio editions
The T.S. Eliot play Murder in the Cathedral is quite an impressive work. It treats the last days of St. Thomas Becket in a symbolic and thought-provoking manner. I think it would be wonderful to see if performed live someday. Still, it is possible to listen to an audio adaptation here and now, (if you can find one, that is).
I know of three. One was done in the 1950s, one in the 1960s, and one in the 1970s. All were released on vinyl. One was re-released on cassette and now on CD (in the UK) and MP3.
The first is performed by Robert Donat and the Old Vic Company. This was released in the 1950s, and one can find an occasional set on Gemm, Musicstack, or Ebay. However, it was re-released on cassette, and used copies are available through Amazon. Now, it has been released on CD and MP3 files. Amazon (UK) has the downloadable MP3 version.
The second is from Caedmon Records. It features Paul Scofield and the Theatre Recording Society. Vinyl copies can be found in the usual places, but often they are $20 or more. It has not been re-released. Someone put this version out on Youtube as a series of files.
The third edition is from Argo Records. The play is performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and features Richard Pasco as Thomas Becket. (I have this edition.) Some parts that are soft and “in the distance” are a bit difficult to hear. It requires some volume adjustment to enjoy, but is quite well performed. Copies are found in the usual places.
Francis Thompson on St. Thomas More
From his poem “To the English Martyrs”
Ah, happy Fool of Christ, unawed
By familiar sanctities,
You served your Lord at holy ease !
Dear Jester in the Courts of God
In whose spirit, enchanting yet,
Wisdom and love, together met,
Laughed on each other for content !
That an inward merriment,
An inviolate soul of pleasure,
To your motions taught a measure
All your days ; which tyrant king,
Nor bonds, nor any bitter thing
Could embitter or perturb ;
No daughter’s tears, nor, more acerb,
A daughter’s frail declension from
Thy serene example, come
Between thee and thy much content.
Nor could the last sharp argument
Turn thee from thy sweetest folly ;