Catholic Fire

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...

The feast of St. Mary Magdalene is considered one of the most mystical of feasts, and it is said that of all the songs of the saints, that of Mary Magdalene is the sweetest and strongest because her love was so great. That love was praised by Jesus Himself who said that because much was forgiven her, she loved much. Where she is buried, no one knows. Legend has her dying in Provence, France, in a cavern where she spent her last days, and her body resting in the chapel of St. Maximin in the Maritime Alps. Another has her buried in Ephesus where she went with St. John after the Resurrection. This latter view is more likely, and St. Willibald, the English pilgrim to the Holy Land in the eighth century, was shown her tomb there. She was the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus, His most devoted and loving follower. She had stood with Mary at the foot of the Cross on that brutal Good Friday afternoon and had been by the side of Mary during these difficult hours. On Easter morning, she...