|
In
Search of the Spirit
A
monthly letter from the Glenmary Vocation Office
|
|
|
February 2006
Glenmarians Go to the Movies
By Father Steve Pawelk
February is a month when movie-lovers discuss favorite films in anticipation of the Academy Awards. Such conversations range from considerations of pop culture to artistic style. Already new movies like Brokeback Mountain and Transamerica are provoking discussion on lifestyle and love.
So, in the spirit of February's moviemania, I asked Glenmary priests and brothers what movies they would recommend to someone discerning a vocation to missionary life. Their responses were diverse--with several men stating they haven't seen a movie in years. Others, however, have movies to recommend--from classics to contemporary.
What follows is a sampling of some of their recommendations by categories. This listing in not an endorsement by either Glenmary or me. But I do believe that, when discerning God's Spirit, we can sometimes gain insight from the world of art and entertainment. Such a list can also provide an insight into what values are important to Glenmarians.
I hope this sampling helps you in your discernment. Maybe some of these movies may even inspire you.
Racism and undoing racism: Many of the movies recommended reflected on life in the South or the challenge of racism in the United States. These include:
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Places in the Heart (1984)
Crash (2005--nominated for best picture)
Glory Road (2005)
The Christ message: Other recommended films looked at the life of Christ--explicitly or through allegory. These include:
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
The Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
To this category I would add three recommended film biographies:
Romero (1988)
Roses in December (1988 documentary on Jean Donovan by Ana Garrigan)
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story (1996)
Movies on redemption--or that are morally uplifting:
The Mission (1986)
Spitfire Grill (1996)
Cinderella Man (2005)
2005 Movies that evade the categories--but are entertaining:
Cheaper by the Dozen II (very funny and shows strong families)
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (Are you ready to enter into this world as a disciple of Jesus? What would you need to be a successful preacher/missioner in this world?)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (How does one minister to those outside the fold? Who are the authentic people? Willy is looking for family love. How do we as Church provide authentic, loving families?)
African focus: Some of my readers are from Nigeria and Kenya. These countries appeared in two movies this year--one an adventure and the other a very serious drama.
Sahara (Lagos, Nigeria, is featured)
The Constant Gardner (takes place in Kenya and Sudan).
If you have seen them, do you feel they represent your country well? What films would you recommend to people who wished to understand your nation, culture or people?
Your recommendations? So, my faithful discerners, let us continue the dialogue. What movies would you recommend to other discerners--and why? E-mail your responses to spawelk@glenmary.org .
