A reason to celebrate: new life in America

This Saturday is the one-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. A natural consequence of this decision is a predicted increase in life - that is, a decrease in the number of abortions. And, as predicted, that is just what happened in the last year.

FiveThirtyEight blog reported that “there were 24,290 fewer legal abortions between July 2022 and March 2023, compared to a pre-Dobbs baseline.” While states that passed laws expanding the availability of abortion saw their individual numbers increase, it did not overall make up for reductions in abortions in states that passed restrictive laws. So, overall, more children were saved.

Abortion is a complex issue literally involving decisions of life and death. To have a child is a permanent thing, even if you give him or her up for adoption. Nonetheless: to have reduced the number of children sent to their demise is a truly beautiful thing. To have increased life on this planet, and this country, is unequivocally a positive. We have a long way to go to truly create a “culture of life,” and I pray that these lives saved were met with love, compassion, acceptance, and a change of heart.

If you are not already, pray for all women, families, and children every day caught in this difficult decision. Begin to financially support your local pregnancy center. Learn what it means to create a culture of life,, not just spiritually and relationally, but politically, as well. See yourself not as a bystander, but a part of the solution.

And remember, life wins.

Deciphering the new Padre Pio movie

My latest article, Deciphering the new Padre Pio Movie, is up at Catholic Stand.

A few things: one, I love Padre Pio. He was a force, and very much still is. And when I first heard a movie was being made about his life - or so it seemed to be advertised - I was excited. Not only that, but controversial actor Shia LaBeouf experienced a profound conversion experience while playing the role of Padre Pio, something he famously discussed in detail in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron. Given the saint’s reputation and following, and this news about the movie’s star, it seemed inevitable the movie would be a life-changer. Unfortunately, that is very much not the case, and instead the movie is a typical Hollywood re-tell relying on shock for effect.

The movie is about two things: one, Padre Pio arriving at San Giovanni Rotundo and beginning his life there after WW1, and the political situation happening in the town. Most of the movie is taken up with scenes of villagers fighting each other about whether or not to join the socialist party. It is not very interesting, and made worse by intentionally shaky and hard-to-follow camera work. The movie is about 85% this uninteresting political situation, and 15% Padre Pio struggling with his faith. It is never made clear why these two things are juxtaposed.

When we do see Pio, he is in a variety of truly disturbing scenes including wrestling with Satan, being tempted by Satan, apparently being tricked into giving confession to Satan, and overall, experiencing doubt. Yikes!

Ultimately, as I state in my article, the only way this movie makes any sense is to see Pio’s struggle as Shia’s as he came out of rehab and various personal scandals. Padre Pio crying naked on the floor (yes, that happens in the movie) = Shia’s shame and agony at his own personal, real-life journey. Okay. But I don’t really want to see a movie about that, I want to see a movie about Padre Pio’s life.

For the article I interviewed Shia, director Abel Ferrera, and Br. Alexander Rodriguez, who advised, was a part of Shia’s formation, and has a small part in the movie. I do wonder how the Capuchin community in CA where Shia evidently became Catholic feels about the movie, given both its great departure from anything that would be considered respectful or truthful about Pio’s life, but more importantly, its moments of outright blasphemy. Also, apparently he was able to receive communion while there, despite not being received into the Church. What?

I don’t doubt Shia’s conversion, or his personal relationship with either Jesus or Padre Pio. I do find it odd that the movie turned out the way it did, though. And basically, now I want a truthful and respectful telling of him - not just the bad and ugly, the struggles and doubts - but the triumphs, too. The impact he had, the reason his following is so strong. What about the miracles? The reading of souls? The hospital he built? Dare I say, the bilocating? This movie doesn’t do it. And it only makes sense in the context of “Shia suffered coming out of sobriety and his scandals just like Padre Pio fought the devil,” but, well, who wants to see a movie about that?

Just pray for Shia, Abel, Br. Alex, and all involved in the movie. Not because they’re “wrong,” but because we all need prayers. No person, thing, or situation, is beyond God’s reach, and I am sure he can and will work through this movie, despite what it is. But goodness, what a lost opportunity to tell an incredible story.

Talking about St. Anthony on Morning Air

This week I had the pleasure of joining John Morales and the team on Morning Air on the Feast of St. Anthony to discuss that miraculous saint. You can listen to the audio here, which starts at minute 11:55.

What stands out to me about St. Anthony, as I talked about on the show, is that he is so much more than the patron of lost things (but you should pray to him for lost things, because he will help you). For one thing, he gave his life completely over to God. At one point in his life, after he joined his religious order, he wanted to travel to Morocco, as he felt God calling him there to serve. But, once there, he got terribly sick, had to board a boat back to his native Portugal, but was blown off course and ended up in Sicily. Can you imagine? I mean, that’s it. You live in Italy now whether you like it or not. It’s not like you could just catch the next plane after a nice stay in a comfortable hospital recovering. So, he submitted to God’s will in humility.

We also know him as a great preacher. But, did you know he before he was a great preacher and missionary, he was basically a helper in the kitchen? The first time anyone heard him preach, it was essentially by accident, because no one else had prepared a homily, and his superior called on him. Lo and behold, he had the gift. So, he was not only someone who used his gifts to serve God, but he also waited in obedience until they were called upon. Overall I get the impression he was very humble and patient. St. Anthony, pray for us!

Also, I have a new article up at Catholic Stand, about the new Padre Pio movie, called Deciphering the New Padre Pio Movie. I will dedicate another post to expanding on my thoughts on that movie, which you may have already heard is controversial.

Lastly: tomorrow is the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.” And, this year, the US Bishops are calling on Catholics to pray an act of reparation on this day, by praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I recommend not only doing this, but spending time with the words, thinking about what they describe about Jesus and his actions: “source of all consolation,” “aflame with love for us,” “generous to all who turn to you,” and so on. By praying this litany tomorrow, you are, essentially, countering anti-human blasphemy with prayer. Now that’s worth five minutes of your time!