February 21, 2020
When an Unbelieving Director Looks at Lourdes
Italian cinemas will soon show Lourdes (2019), a documentary by French directors Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai. Wonderful to some, questionable to others, it is a film that attempts—from a secular perspective, by filmmakers who do not believe—to understand why six million people journey to Bernadette's grotto each year. Lourdes is a place that many of us have experienced with faith and without it, and it stirs memories, hope, pain, and warmth. Those who carry their own Lourdes will find it in this documentary making its way around the world, or they will not; for those who have never been, the work of Demaizière and Teurlai may draw them toward the pilgrimage or push them away. To capture something of this diversity, we offer two responses to the film: one from our cinema critic, Claudio Cinus (who has never visited Lourdes), and another from Serena Sillitto, who has traveled to Lourdes every year since 1996 with Unitalsi.
"The Church is changing. It is becoming more evangelical. Yet it is not easy to embrace practices that seem new—a newness in the welcome that Pope Francis reminds us is essential to living the Gospel." So begins Father Paul Gilbert, a Jesuit who has long stood close to Rome's Faith and Light communities, as he reflects on an article by Justin Glyn published in Civiltà Cattolica (no. 4069). Here is another compelling voice deepening our understanding of a theological necessity: a new way of seeing human fragility. The awareness that the Church is moving, showing room for growth in its foundational evangelical dimension, invites reflection and hope.
Testimony – "I remember Antonella's first carnival perfectly," writes Vittoria Lombardo, Antonella's mother, who tells us how, during her daughter's childhood in Reggio Calabria, they chose her school costume.
The choice had to balance Antonella's interests with her difficulty walking. But after much rehabilitation, her dream came true: the fairy costume she had longed for. To all our readers: happy carnival, and may you choose your mask well!
Benedetta's Blog
If I wait just a little, the answer comes
I like my cell phone so much. I have my own cell phone. But I don't like to use my cell phone. I don't know why but I don't like to. I always use mom's cell phone. Read more...
Calendar
At the cinema - The Open Visions initiative from Cinemanchìo is growing, bringing Autism Friendly screenings to theaters. Beyond the UCI circuit, which offers an adapted film every Sunday morning, monthly events have been added at Cinema delle Province in Rome, Cinema Filo in Cremona, and Cinema Vittoria in Locri.
Collecchio (PR) - The Volunteer Assistance of Collecchio, Sala Baganza, and Felino, together with the Liberi di Volare Association, have launched a free first aid course designed for people with disabilities. Two days—February 29 and March 14—supported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Emilia Romagna Region.
Rome - Through March 14, the Sensuability project is on exhibit at the Rome Cinema House with comics and illustrations by artists including Milo Manara, Frida Castelli, Stefania Infante, and Pietro Vanessi, representing the sexuality of people with disabilities without prejudice.
Faith and Light Life
The movement continues to grow and flourish, now taking root in the city that cradled Christianity: Nazareth! The first gathering took place just days ago, following last month's visit by international vice-coordinator Angela Grassi and Un Fiume di Pace coordinator Liliana Ghiringhelli.
Over the weekend of February 14–16, Father Marco Bove and a delegation from Rome's communities led a training course for another budding community, La Casa della Pace in Tirana.
For those who missed A Christmas Carol, performed by the San Gregorio community, the Faith and Light website offers a photo gallery to relive the evening.
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