2016 Teaser Trailer

Book Review: A Heart on Fire

A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by James Kubicki, S.J. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2012 Sometimes people feel as if devotions such as that to the Sacred Heart went the way of the horse and buggy after Vatican II. Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, we need these devotions more than ever in our modern world which so often forgets about God and the love of Jesus.

In "A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus," Fr. James Kubicki, National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer, explores the history of this devotion and its relevance for the world today. He examines the history of this devotion, beginning with the revelations of God's love in the Hebrew Scriptures, followed by the life of Jesus himself, its manifestation in the writings and teachings of the early Church, followed by the visions of several saints, such as St. Lutgard, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Mechthild, and St. Gertrude the Great.

St. Margaret Mary is the saint most associated with this devotion. Jesus appeared to her four times in 1673 and asked her to have a feast instituted in honor of His Sacred Heart. In 1856, Blessed Pius IX placed the feast on the Church's liturgical calendar and in 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart. Fr. Kubicki also explores the connection between devotion to the Sacred Heart and devotion to the Eucharist. "Devotion to the Sacred Heart is simply a relationship with Jesus Christ that grows ever more personal and deep. What is the best way to develop such a relationship? The answer is simple: through the Eucharist." He also examines the relationship of the Sacred Heart devotion with that of Divine Mercy.

One of the most interesting parts of "A Heart on Fire" was an explanation of the parts of the Traditional Morning Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer. This prayer is well-known, but it was fascinating to learn of its history and the meaning behind the various parts. "A Heart on Fire" offers a solid history of devotion to the Sacred Heart and offers sound reasons why we should develop this devotion in our lives. In addition, Fr. Kubicki offers several "prayer exercises" to help us do just that.

Book Trailer The Lily Trilogy

Wing Tip Book Trailer from caritaspress on GodTube.

Wing Tip; Book Trailer

Wing Tip Book Trailer from caritaspress on GodTube.

Movie Review: Vito Bonafacci

Vito Bonafacci is a successful businessman who has much wealth and a lavish lifestyle.   One night he dreams that he had a heart attack and his mother appears to him and admonishes him to abandon his pursuit  of worldly goods and  pursue true life in the Lord. 

Vito seems unsure of how to do what his mother is telling him.  He repeatedly asks "am I a good person"?   He also questions the existence of heaven and hell.  He discusses his doubts with several people throughout the story,  but none of them has the answers.  In the end, he finds the answer is in the Catholic Church and reception of the sacraments.

I enjoyed the story and how it is told, but one technique I did not care for was that  in a couple scenes, when his mother is speaking, the camera closes in on her mouth.  I found this distracting.

My favorite quote from this film is "much of what the world holds in esteem, the Lord holds in disdain".

A very good story that follows a search for truth and ends up with the truth of the Church.  It will reinforce your own faith in the Church.

VitoBonafacci.com/

App Review: MyConsecration

I reviewed this app over the weekend.

The MyConsecration App is a free app for those that want to make the St. Louis de Montfort Consecration with all of the convenience of doing it on their iPhone (or iPad).

It has many features to aid in progressing toward consecration to Our Lady.

• The :Prayers" tab includes several prayers to Our Lady, for example the Magnificat and the Litany of Our Lady.
• The "Prepare" tab is 12 days of  prayers to prepare for Consecration to Our Lady.
• The "Plan" tab is my favorite.  It lists all the feasts of Our Lady, and the start and end dates of the consecration prayers leading up to each.  For example, the next prayers start on June 13 and end on June 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

• The "Settings" tab is pretty cool.  It allows you to set a reminder, text-only or text with audio (a note of chant :),  to remind you when to start the prayers for each feast.

There is also a "Share" button which will allow you to share your daily consecration on Facebook

This app is an excellent tool to consecrate yourself to Our Lady.  I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing it and will definitely be using it in my own consecration. You can get it free by searching for MyConsecration in the App Store.  For more information, visit the site below.

 I highly recommend this App!

Update: a reader informed me they are in development stage for an Android App.

 

http://www.myconsecration.org/

Movie Review: The Genesis Code - PG

Warning: Possible spoiler.

Kerry Wells becomes friends with Blake Truman when she is assigned to interview him for the school  paper (he is the star player of the hockey team).

 Kerry is a devout Christian, and her father is the pastor of the local Church.   Kerry and Blake soon find themselves at odds, because Blake believes that science disproves Genesis, the story of creation.  That makes it hard for him to turn to God through prayer for his  mother, who is in the hospital in a coma.

Kerry's brother and his friends (all science majors) put together a presentation to reconcile Genesis and science.  Kerry has a challenge to her faith as well through one of her professors, who insists she must forfeit her beliefs to be successful, so the presentation also helps her with that.  My favorite line of the movie is when Kerry says "science has caught up to the bible".

I've reviewed a number of Christian themed movies, but this one is especially effective in making people proud to be Christian and unafraid to defend our beliefs.

There are a few well-known actors you'll enjoy seeing: Lance Henriksen, Catherine Hicks, Ernest Borgnine and Fred Thompson.

A very inspiring, effective and entertaining movie.

http://www.thegenesiscodemovie.com/

Review, "For Greater Glory" the story of the Cristeros

Mexico in the 1920’s was a genteel society where ladies and gentlemen dressed in their Sunday best, casually strolled to Mass through the town plaza. The parish priest was a pre-eminent figure in the community, and no one imagined that President Plutarco Calles would send their gracious world into a tailspin with his sudden enactment of Mexican anti-clerical laws in 1926. Mexican churches closed their doors in protest on August 1, 1926 and the people saw their Catholic schools and churches confiscated, their priests exiled and even murdered before their horrified gaze.  Their first reaction was to organize boycotts through the National League for Religious Liberty, but the Calles retaliation grew bloodier and soon many Mexican Catholics felt that their only recourse was to take up arms. The Cristero Movement was born, from landowning peasants whose religious faith was strong, and who fought to reclaim their rights to freedom of religion. Their battle cry was “Que viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!) As they carried banners with Christ’s image into battle and attended Holy Mass in their camps, they knew they were fighting to maintain religious freedom in their homeland.

Andy Garcia plays General Enrique Gorostieta Velarde a renowned retired general whose civilian life as head of a soap factory leaves him anxious to return to battle even though his atheism has his wife Tulita (Eva Longoria) cynical as to his role in a conflict over religious freedom. General Gorostieta says he’s fighting so his daughters can receive Confirmation, but soon the inspiring valor of 14 year old José Luis Sánchez del Rio (Mauricio Kuri) who begs to join the Cristeros spurs the general to greater personal investment in the cause for religious freedom.

A once-hidden epoch in Mexican history is brought unflinchingly to life by riveting performances by such venerable actors as Oscar-winner Peter O’Toole as Fr Christopher an aged foreign priest who incredulous to learn that he is no longer welcome in the nation whose people he served all his life, and newcomer Mauricio Kuri as his young protégé in the defense of the Faith. The power of religious conviction to drive self-sacrifice is the inspiring theme in this extraordinary film, portrayed with equal power by both militant priests Fr Vega (Santiago Cabrera) and pacifist activists Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores (Eduardo Verastegui).

Director Dean Wright does not dwell on the violence of the conflict, but focuses on the state of the characters’ souls as they valiantly embrace sacrifices required to combat by the cruel suppression of the Federales. Stirring portrayals of good and evil set amid colorful Mexican landscapes suffused with Catholic iconography create an unforgettable cinematic experience comparable to “The Mission”. Andy Garcia gives the performance of his career, filling the screen with his character’s powerful transformation from mercenary to hero, but Mauricio Kuri’s screen debut is the showstopper. Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Rio is first seen as a insolent adolescent who Fr Christopher mentors as an altar boy but his lessons on moral courage are driven home when the boy witnesses the elderly priests’ martyrdom. Jose insists on bringing his friend along to join the Cristeros, and humbly accepts his position as a non-combatant, until destiny thrusts him into the spotlight.

Do not miss this remarkable salute to the little known heroes of the Cristeros rebellion, an opportunity not only to educate your family about past religious persecution and the heroes who fought for religious liberty in Mexico, but a spellbinding experience to inspire your own reaction to similar threats in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. It is providential that “For Greater Glory” is coming out as the USCCB’s Fortnight for Freedom initiative is about to begin.

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/fortnight-freedom-educational-resources.cfm

I give “For Greater Glory” my highest recommendation. Suitable for ages 13 and up, like “The Passion of the Christ”, the film is rated R for violent and disturbing content. (Sexual content is minimal; there is one bedroom scene with a discussion between husband and wife, and a brief scene of women in 1920’s style undergarments)  Greatest respect for the highest expressions of human dignity; sacrifice, love and faith is exalted in this film. 

  

Book Review: Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Debut

Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Début by Rebecca Bratten Weiss and Regina Doman Front Royal, VA: Chesterton Press, 2012

Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Début is the intelligent Catholic woman’s beach read. This book is so much fun that you won’t want to put it down until you have turned the last page with a blissful sigh of contentment! Rebecca Bratten Weiss and Regina Doman bring Cate Frank to life and make her a heroine you would want to share a slice of cheesecake with.

Cate, a former fashion writer, has struck out on a new path in life. A Jewish convert to the Catholic faith, she is headed to the Dominican University of Houston in order to immerse herself in the works of Thomas Aquinas and to find the perfect guy. She convinces the intimidating Dr. Hastings to allow her to take the famous “Suminar,” devoted to the study of the Summa Theologica, even though she is a first year graduate student and therefore not eligible, but when she walks in the door she finds herself to be the only woman in a group of men. Among those men, of course, is Justin, “the perfect man,” and Sean, who is anything but.

Cate manages to balance weight issues, her love of good food, fashion disasters, a party-girl roommate, parents who think she has gone off the deep end, and her own natural inclination for getting into difficult situations, along with heavier philosophical concerns. On her journey, she will make some valuable friends and learn a few lessons about herself and her place in the world. One of my favorite lines in this book is when Cate muses, “Whatever God wants me to be, it must be something as unique as a snowflake.” Any woman who has struggled with what it means to be a Catholic woman today and what one’s individual vocation is will appreciate and sympathize with Cate’s inner turmoil.

While having studied St. Thomas Aquinas in depth is not necessary to appreciate this book, it helps to have a nodding acquaintance with his style of writing and philosophical thought. Also, if you are like me and your Latin has gotten a bit rusty over the years, you will want to have a Latin/English dictionary or your favorite on-line translator handy to fully appreciate the wit of the chapter titles.

 “Catholic Philosopher Chick Makes Her Début” is a great addition to the genre of Catholic fiction. Weiss and Doman make an incredible writing team, and one can only hope that more books of this quality will be coming our way in the future from this talented duo.

Movie Review: Men in Black III - PG13

Warning: possible spoiler 

When Agent J (Will Smith) learns that Agent K's life, and the fate of earth, are in danger, he must travel back in time to prevent a catastrophic event.   Ironically, he ends up teaming with a young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to stop it.

J also learns there are secrets that his partner had not told him.

The special effects are unbelievable, particularly that aliens often appear so quickly it appears like out of nowhere.  Lots of action, and a better-than-expected story.  Will Smith is charming and witty as usual, but Josh Brolin is especially good in his role.

Content warning: the first 15 minutes has two gross scenes.  Tough it out, because it's worth it:  at the end, the whole audience applauded. 

Excellent!

http://meninblack.com/
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