Catholic Fire

Image Source Lent is a season of  drawing  into a deeper intimacy with Jesus. Watching sacred films during Lent is one method I use to draw closer to Christ. Here are seven films I recommend watching this Lent: 1. Risen (2016) It opens in theaters on February 19, 2016. While I have yet to see this film, the reviews are wonderful! Catholic World Report reviews it as does Our Sunday Visitor and Lisa Hendey gives her endorsement.  2. Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine (2012) Filmed in Europe, the first full-length feature movie on Augustine uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of one of the Church's most beloved and well-known Saints. Its message of sin, conversion, redemption is as timely today as it was in the 5th century of Augustine. It is the story of a gifted man who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass - and the dramatic changes that occur in his soul when challenging events lead him to see the light of truth. It al...

1. Looking for a good read?  I have been reading and reviewing Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s books for the past seven years and have been a big fan. Donna-Marie has served as an inspiration to me and to all women, speaking to us in a gentle, gracious manner, guiding us spiritually, with wisdom and love. Now, she has written a book (her twentieth) that tops them all. In The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, she shares her life story. And, what a story it is! Continue reading. 2. Need some help in sharing your faith story? Nancy Ward has the perfect evangelization tool! Check out my interview with her here. 3. Looking for a good Catholic movie to watch? Check out My All-American. 4. This past week we celebrated the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude. I am continually praying for the intercession of St. Jude, the patron of  desperate situations and lost causes, hospital workers, and hospitals. H...

In the summer of 1936, the modern history of Spain changed when a brutal civil war broke out. The violence and persecution, already in place against religious groups, priests and bishops, intensified. A new film, titled "Under a Blanket of Stars,” addresses this bloody chapter. It narrates the martyrdom of hundreds of Dominican friars from the tiny township of Almagro, in Central Spain. OSCAR PARRA DE CARRIZOSA Director, "Bajo un manto de estrellas” "It's the latest in a string of films, like 'From Gods and men,' or more recently in Spain, 'A forbidden God.' We focused on the message of the witnesses, the witnesses of the faith that died as martyrs: the Dominican friars of Almagro.” These Dominicans were driven out of their convent and jailed in Madrid. They were imprisoned under harsh conditions and mistreated, even humiliated. Afterward, they were killed. -You all must remain together, in a safe place, until the trial takes place. -Wha...

All Halows Eve and All Saints Day are days to celebrate our Catholic faith and the Communion of Saints. Here are some great films to watch on those days (my favorites): Restless Heart: The Confessions of St. Augustine The Song of Bernadette St. John Bosco: Mission to Love Pope John Paul II Saint Anthony Molokai: The Story of Father Damien Francis and Clare Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber Brother Andre  Pius XII: Under the Roman Sky   A Man for All Seasons Miracle of St. Therese Padre Pio Miracle Man  Peter and Paul St. Patrick: The Irish Legend

The Miracle of Marcelino  is one of my favorite films of all times. I have watched it on EWTN many times. Now there is a remake of this classic film. br /> CNA reports:  The magic of one of the most popular Spanish Catholic films of the 20th century has been resurrected in a Mexican remake that is now available to the English-speaking public. “Marcelino’s Miracle” is based on the successful classic film adaptation of the 1955 short story “Marcelino Pan y Vino” by Jose Maria Sanchez. The story tells the adventures of an orphaned boy who was abandoned as a baby by his mother at the doorstep of a Franciscan monastery. The original Spanish film, directed by Ladislao Vajda, was a success at the Berlin and Cannes Film Festivals, where child actor Pablito Calvo was given special recognition for his role as Marcelino. The story begins as a group of friars discover a newborn baby abandoned at the doorstep of their poor monastery, which has been devastated by war...

A film based on the Marian apparitions to three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on 13 May. The Miracle of the Sun occurred on the final day of the Blessed Virgin Mary's appearance in Fatima. The 13th Day premiered for the film industry on May 13th 2009, the opening day of the Marche du Film which runs alongside the world renowned Film Festival in Cannes. The producers of the film are trying for a release date in Fall of this year (2009 A.D.) to coincide with the October 13th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun . For more information and to learn how you can promote this film, click here . ~ Video and information via Tito.

I first saw The Song of Bernadette when I was a child, growing up in the 1950's and I have loved it ever since. It is the true story of St. Bernadette and her apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Song of Bernadette stars Jennifer Jones, William Eythe, Charles Bickford, Vincent Price, Lee J. Cobb,and Gladys Cooper. The Song of Bernadette opened in late December of 1943 to qualify for the Academy Awards. It was an immediate critical and commercial success and Jennifer Jones was a new star. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards When the award were announced on March 2, 1944, the film won 4 awards (Actress, Cinematography, Interior Decoration, Scoring). Related Posts: 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes The History of Our Lady of Lourdes FEBRUARY 11th HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART