Catholic documentary

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I was privileged to be able to see this wonderful documentary last month, and I hadn’t had a chance to write a full review–which I still hope to do at some point! However, I wanted to let you know that Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism is broadcasting on PBS throughout the month of August. You can find a complete and updated list of broadcasts on PBS here, but this is what I know so far. (Note that all the times are local.)

· WTVS (Detroit #13) is airing Tuesday August 16 at 11 pm.

· WPBT (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale #16) is airing Tuesday August 16 at 11 pm.

· KUHT (Houston #10) is airing Wednesday August 17 at 10 pm.

· WTVI (Charlotte #22) is airing Wednesday August 17 at 11:30 pm.

· PBS SoCal (Los Angeles #2) is airing on their Plus channel Monday August 22 at 2:30 pm.

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism is an especially powerful and timely documentary to watch in our day because our world is so convinced that violence is the only response to oppression…but Pope Saint John Paul II was able to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and bring about change, liberation, and transformation through entirely peaceful means. If only we too could learn this lesson during the Year of Mercy!

The new documentary, Guadalupe: the Miracle and the Message, is a well-paced, fascinating, and moving account of Our Lady of Guadalupe. While balancing the many intriguing aspects of the apparitions and their impact on history, this classically-styled documentary ends with an emphasis on the impact that the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe has on the world—and can have on you—today.

Produced by the Knights of the Columbus, Guadalupe: the Miracle and the Message, is airing on ABC affiliates around the USA from October to December 10, 2015.* (A few stations have already broadcast the film. For those in Canada, Salt + Light TV is broadcasting the documentary on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 9 PM EST.)

Superbly edited so that attention never wavers, Guadalupe: the Miracle and the Message seamlessly weaves together details of the original account, expert testimony, and pastoral commentary. In less than an hour, the viewer walks away not just with a clear understanding of the message and historical significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but a clear invitation to grow in one’s devotion to the woman who so clearly holds out her arms to us as mother.

The documentary begins by taking us through the basic story of St. Juan Diego and the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which took place over four days in 1531. Guadalupe: the Miracle and the Message reveals the profound significance of the apparitions to the indigenous people by exploring the symbolic meaning of the tilma to the people and the massive conversions that resulted, as well as summing up the scientific research that cannot explain the tilma’s existence, preservation, and image.

The film continues by taking us through the historical impact of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearances throughout Mexico’s history through the Cristeros War to today, to the USA and throughout the rest of the Americas and the world. Narrated by Jim Cavaziel (English version) and Plácido Domingo (Spanish version), the documentary seamlessly weaves in testimonies and insights offered by well-known figures in the Catholic world who have something special to say about Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Based on the book, Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love by Carl Anderson and Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, this finely-crafted documentary concludes by trying to express the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe for today. Whether that’s unity, human dignity, hope, the reality that God works miracles in today’s world, the motherly love of our Lady watching over us, or something else, each viewer is invited to discover for themselves.

For me, personally, another treasure of the film was reflecting on Mary as the Star of the New Evangelization whose brief apparitions so brilliantly continue to communicate the saving Good News of Christ to peoples largely resistant to the Gospel. Our Lady of Guadalupe can guide us through our challenging times to witness and communicate Christ in a culture also resistant to his love and mercy.

For Guadalupanas, those who are devoted to or curious about Our Lady of Guadalupe, this is a must-see film. For more information on Guadalupe: the Miracle and Message, including upcoming broadcasts, visit: GuadalupetheFilm.com or follow #guadalupethefilm on Twitter.

Live, share, or grow in your devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe by supporting this film in three ways:

—Watch Guadalupe: the Miracle and Message either when it airs (you can find out when here) or by purchasing it on www.amazon.com (it’s currently #1 in documentaries)

—Share with friends and family when Guadalupe: the Miracle and Message is airing on ABC; watch it together as a family!

—If the ABC affiliate in your area still hasn’t determined a time for the film to broadcast, you can contact them here and request that they air it (via email, phone, or mail).