pathways, May 09
book
Freedom, Justice and Sincerity: Reflections on the Life and Spirituality of Mary Ward
films
Angels and Demons
What Just Happened?
Freedom, Justice and Sincerity: Reflections on the Life and Spirituality of Mary WardChristine Burke IBVM
Australasian Theological Forum Press (2009)
rrp $25
The story of Mary Ward is one of ridicule, imprisonment and silence, great faith and insight.
A woman who never gave up on her own truth, she began a company of sisters in 1609-11 who today live and minister in large cities and remote villages, in educational facilities, parishes, justice networks, retreat centres, welfare services on five continents.
The story of this woman who had an unshakeable understanding of what women could achieve within the church is told by theologian, historian and provincial of the Loreto Sisters in Australia, Christine Burke IBVM, of Melbourne.
According to Dr Leoni Degenhardt, principal of Loreto Normanhust, the turbulent 17th century context in which Mary Ward lived comes to life as Sr Christine draws rich parallels with the turbulent 21st century.
In launching the book recently in Melbourne, Dr Robyn Horner, assistant head, School of Theology, Australian Catholic University, said that women today continued to be inspired by Mary Ward's courage and vision and that true to her hopes, women were indeed "doing much".
Sr Christine (pictured) writes in the introduction:
This small book is an attempt to tell the story of Mary Ward (1585-1645) and to tease out some implications for today ... Her story has been muted over the past 400 years ... Silenced by the Inquisition, Mary Ward was denied recognition until 1909 when the church finally allowed her sisters to name her as founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
She continues:
My primary audience when writing these reflections has been the many dedicated teachers in schools run under the auspices of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Congregatio Jesu, both of which share the charism and legacy of Mary Ward. These women and men, who now work in many centres, are not official members of our congregations, but are passionate in their desire to pass on this rich heritage. My aim has been to explore some of the key experiences of life - her life and ours - and to take some of the virtues evident in her life and uncover what her choices might have meant in her time...
A secondary audience consists of others who seek to deepen their understanding of the spirituality of this woman as a companion for their own personal journey. Mary Ward lived out her discipleship under Jesus in a radical way. She recognised that following him called for a single-minded focus on what God wanted of her. She also knew that, whatever the cost, this commitment on her part was a response in love to a loving friend, not something done in fear. Her journey led her along a path that in many ways replicated that of Jesus. She experienced the pain this caused her, but also entrusted into God's hands those things she could not manage. Her life teaches resourcefulness and acceptance, courage and compassion, integrity and trust ...
The international Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary met for their General Congregation in Peru in late 2006. Those assembled distilled Mary Ward's legacy for today's world into following 'three calls'
- to listen to the passion of God and wrestle with the meaning of (religious) life today;
- to develop ways of being with others which reflect a relational God, generous in gift, equality, diversity and outreach;
- to sharpen our engagement with the church and world.
These three calls seem relevant to the task all Christians must engage in if we are to respond to God in a way that is 'constant efficacious and loving'.
The style of these chapters reflects various audiences and preoccupations. It is hoped that they will lead to personal reflection, and that something of Mary Ward's life will reach out to give us courage at this time in the church's journey, when once again women are in the vanguard of those who see the need for change ...
further details, including the full introduction and the table of contents
are available
Angels & Demons
starring: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, and Ewan McGregor
directed by Ron Howard
rated M (violence) 138 min.
Columbia Pictures out May 14
reviewed by Peter Sheehan
This is the film adaptation of Dan Brown's novel of the same name that preceded his The Da Vinci Code. Liberties have been taken with Brown's novel which bring a different story to the screen. Key events and scenarios which made the novel very controversial have been omitted from the movie.
The story focuses on the Illuminati, a secret society of intellectuals presumed extinct for over 400 years. Its members emerge again to continue their vendetta against their sworn enemy, the Catholic Church, and they plot revenge for the killing of their predecessors by the Church centuries before.
A movie which depicts the brutal killing of Cardinals, puts terrorism in the form of "Satan in the House of God" (Brown's words), and has a priest poison the Pope who loved him, could offend some people.
The film is almost a total trip into fantasy. It is not designed to be a piece of anti-Catholic sentiment. Rather, it uses the Catholic Church for its own purposes to pursue its thriller conspiracy plot.
The Catholic Church cannot regard its organisation as immune from satirical comment, and this movie does satirize it. L'Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Vatican, has described the film as "a gigantic and smart commercial operation", and it goes further to say that the movie is harmless entertainment which hardly affects the genius and mystery of Christianity.
One needs to judge this film for what it is: a fictional and melodramatic attempt to spin high adventure around the Catholic Church. Viewed in this light, the movie's action is fast paced, but it becomes repetitive.
One of the most impressive things about the movie is that it re-creates churches and sacred sites in Rome very convincingly, especially given the fact that after The Da Vinci Code was made the Church refused permission for Vatican City or its Churches in Rome to be filmed.
The movie is photographed and acted with some skill; and Ewan McGregor is particularly impressive as the Camerlengo.
The film is likely to be popular, nevertheless, and it will entertain. Its popularity may push the Catholic Church to examine how it uses the media in the future to convey its messages. However, this is a thriller that is over-paced, and too fanciful in the way it pits science against religion. Compromises have clearly been made to bring Brown's novel to the cinema screen.
Peter W. Sheehan is an associate of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting.
What Just Happened?
starring Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis and Catherine Keener
directed by Barry Levinson
rated M (violence, coarse language and sexual references) 104 mins
Hopscotch out May 21
reviewed by Jim Murphy
With a terrific cast - De Niro gives an outstanding, subtle performance - and a cracking script, distinguished director Barry Levinson (Diner, Avalon, Wag the Dog and his Oscar-winning Rain Man) has fashioned a thoroughly entertaining satirical putdown on the movie-making business told from the inside.
What Just Happened? is an amusing, credible insight into the madness of movie-making in Tinseltown. It has funny lines, larger-than-life characters and mind-boggling situations. Film buffs should love it.
Jim Murphy, associate of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting
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