For Greater Glory

After a long wait I finally got the opportunity to watch “For Greater Glory,” a movie about the bloody Cristero War (1926-29) in Mexico, when the socialist President Plutarco Calles restricted religious freedom. A very poignant movie for us as our religious freedoms is now being trampled upon. No, it is not as extreme for us as it was in Mexico – at least not yet, but it is already law. This is what happened when a socialist takes over a country. The first thing they do is eliminate the influence of the church. We have seen this over and over again through history; Germany, France, Mexico – to name just a few – and now us.

Who will you side with? This is a matter of your heart, and sadly, for many, a matter of their pocketbook, for we see over any over again that people will choose their wallet over their faith, values, and morals. We have seen this most vividly with the Democratic party. My parents were Democrats. But that party has embraced socialism, abortion, stem-cell research, euthanasia, homosexual “marriage,” and so many other things contrary to the teaching of our faith and natural law. You are not asked to die for your faith as 90,000 Mexicans did. But will you not take the time to simply vote to protect your faith, your church, and your religious freedoms this November. Will you not speak to your friends and relative with conviction on these matters?

Your heart will be touched my one of the characters in the movie and a real life person and now Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio, a fifteen year old who was tortured and died for his faith in Mexico. I have turned to Blessed Jose in my prayers to ask for the courage, strength, and conviction to defend my faith and liberties.

Following is a list of Saints and Blesseds from the Mexico persecutions:

Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J
Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores
St. Agustín Caloca
St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado
St. Cristobal Magallanes
St. David GalvÁn Bermudes
St. David RoldÁn Lara
St. David Uribe Velasco
St. Jenaro SÁnchez Delgadillo
St. Jesús Méndez Montoya
St. José Isabel Flores Varela
St. José Maria Robles Hurtado (Priest)*
St. Jóven Salvador Lara Puente
St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza
St. Justino Orona Madrigal
St. Luis Batiz SÁinz (Priest)*
St. Manuel Morales
St. Margarito Flores García
St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (Priest)*
St. Miguel De La Mora (Priest)*
St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero (Priest)*
St. Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
St. Rodrigo Aguilar AlemÁn (Priest)*
St. RomÁn Adame Rosales
St. Sabas Reyes Salazar
St. Tranquilino Ubiarco
St. Toribio Romo GonzÁlez
Blessed Andrés SolÁ Molist (Priest)*
Blessed Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita (Priest)
Blessed Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez
Blessed Jorge Vargas GonzÁlez
Blessed José Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest) *
Blessed Leonardo Pérez Larios *
Blessed Luis Magaña Servín
Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez
Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza
Blessed Mateo Elías del Socorro Nieves (Priest)
Blessed Ramón Vargas GonzÁlez
Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez
* Indicates member of Knights of Columbus.

I urge you to see the movie. If you would like to learn more from the author of the story, The Catholic World Report has this article here.

Wikipedia also has an article .

During the interview the author states ‘There is a very powerful quote from the film that I believe everyone must memorize it. Fr. Vega quotes: “We must not allow for the Godless to take away our faith.”’

And I must ask you: Will you allow for the Godless to take away our faith?

For Greater Glory (2012)

A very important movie to see in this time when the government is taking away our religious liberty. This is Mexico in 1926 when President Plutarco Elias Calles signs into law a provision that restricts religious freedom. The Cristeros fight against the government for their religious freedom. St. Anthony Messenger reports this is a well-crafted and finely acted film. It stays close to the historical record. Two of the central characters, José Luis Sánchez and Anacleto Gonzolas Flores were beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

Doonby - You 'Gotta Watch It

Just ran across this movie, “Doonby”. It has rave reviews.

A sampling:

Robert Davi, Actor

“While there is always hype around projects one gets involved with, sometimes you get the feeling that one may actually be special and live up to its potential. I believe this is one of those times. Let Doonby into your lives–it may have a profound effect.”

Larry W. Poland, Founder, Mastermedia International

“Doonby is a powerful and compelling story told with skillful excellence. It’s one of the best films of its kind in a decade.”

Richard Land, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of The Southern Baptist

“Doonby is engrossing and a really good film. It’s technically well done and up to the highest standards of Hollywood. Anybody who’s looking to be entertained will come away thinking they got their money’s worth. You will leave the theater and think about it numerous times after you’ve seen it.”

Peter Roff, U.S. News & World Report

“Doonby is a movie that will make you think and make you feel. Entertaining from start to finish it packs a special punch that is sure to make it one of this year’s most talked about films.”

Catherine Dombrow, Indiana Family Institute

“Fantastic film. The ending was so unexpected it stunned me…took my breath away.”

Wendy Wright, President, Concerned Women For America

“Doonby is a riveting story that, as its final surprise unfolds, leaves you wondering… Could he be someone I know?”

Here is the link to the official site: http://doonbythemovie.com/

More:

Cardinal Keith O’Brien – Scotland

The cardinal said that it was ‘most heartening’ to be at the first screening of Doonby, as part of the Inner-Life Film Festival, a film which, he said ‘unashamedly upholds the most precious of all values, the right to life.’

He pointed out that the launch of the film comes at a worrying time for Christianity in the United Kingdom.

“Surely there has never been a time in the 2000-year history of Christianity when we need help in discerning the decisions before us—particularly with regard to every aspect of human morality and especially with regard to ‘life’ issues,” Cardinal O’Brien said. “Concentrating on human life, as does this film Doonby, we must again ask ourselves just what has been happening since the 1967 Abortion Act. We are aware of the tens of thousands of unborn babies killed in the womb in the UK since then. It is estimated that the total of babies killed in the womb at this present time is over 200,000 per year—which means 600 babies are killed daily which is the equivalent to 30 classrooms of children. What a horrible thought.”

The cardinal also highlighted media reports in the preceding days, including news of clinics across England ‘illegally offering to abort babies on the basis of gender,’ ethicists call for killing of newborns to be made legal and the recent decision of the Court of Session in Edinburgh that two Catholic midwives could be forced to supervise abortions.

“We might wonder just what aberrations are around the corner when we tamper with God given life in the ways in which we do,” the cardinal said.

He added that the film, Doonby, which was recently launched in the US, could be ‘a wakeup call to those who see it’ and that he has ‘been greatly encouraged to read and hear some of the positive responses that the film has received.’

“Gianfranco Grieco of the Pontifical Council for the Family remarked that this film weaves ‘an intriguing tapestry of complex choices and their consequences,’” the cardinal said.

Fr. Barron comments on "Of Gods and Men"

Cristiada Movie Trailer

Can't wait.