Letters
One Man's Hero
Thank you to Steven Greydanus and the Register for the thoughtful, balanced coverage of our campaign to rerelease the movie One Man's Hero in American theaters and release it for the first time in Irish theaters. While MGM ultimately did not heed our petition, a great number of Catholics have become acquainted with the movie through our campaign.
I also appreciated Greydanus’ affirming words about the movie, but I respectfully give the film higher marks. Taken as a whole, I think One Man's Hero illustrates well the primary, faith-related motivations that led the San Patricios first to leave the U.S. Army and then defend Catholic Mexico from U.S. invasion.
Most endearing in this regard is the chaste love relationship between Tom Berenger's Sgt. John Riley and Daniela Romo's Marta, a “made-for-the-big-screen” romance that epitomizes the galvanization of Irish and Mexican cultures the movie celebrates. The pair are united in Christ in his Church while appreciating and being drawn further together by their diversity. Both their enduring love and the San Patricios’ indomitable spirit illustrate that Catholic Mexico will live on despite the devastating losses of the war.
There are many other fine performances in the film, including that of the Irish lads who portray the San Patricios as well as James Gammon's Gen. Zachary Taylor and Mark Moses’ Col. Benton Lacey, the latter a “composite” character to teach an important truth. Both of these U.S. leaders are portrayed in a sympathetic fashion.
Finally, Lance Hool is masterful in melding a stirring, haunting soundtrack with great natural sound, appealing visuals and poignant acting. He is truly outstanding in choreographing the movie's three climactic scenes, which I won't spoil but will say are all riveting and edifyingly memorable.
To purchase the movie on DVD, contact Ignatius Press at (800) 651-1531 or online at www.ignatius.com. To learn more about the San Patricios, I recommend Dr. Michael Hogan's The Irish Soldiers of Mexico (available via amazon.com). For an essay defending the San Patricios as heroes, not traitors, visit our Web site: www.geocities.com/onemanshero2004.
THOMAS J. NASH
Steubenville, Ohio
Up With Down People
Thank God for the beautiful article by Danielle Bean, “Lifted Up: The Joys of Raising ‘Down’ Children” (Feb. 1-7). It immediately put me in touch with the joy who is my deceased younger brother, Gerard.
Although limited by the different condition of hydro-cephalous, “Jardi” was certainly the hearth of love in our family. Never judgmental of himself (“I'm a handsome boy”) or others, with great faith in God's goodness (“Jesus loves me this I know …”) and a born peacemaker (“Now you two talk!”), he brought many new, truly loving friends into our family. Why? From my experience of Jardi and so many other special people such as those mentioned in Danielle Bean's article, not only does one experience love in their presence but also holiness. Jardi could be ornery, but he never deliberately hurt anyone.
I almost certainly would not be a Carmelite and a priest today if my “spiritual life” did not begin with the birth of Jardi when I was 5.
Special people are never angels. They are too human for that. Overall, while the surprise and adaptation of their early lives might strain a family, their teen-age years are a comparative breeze, I think, because they do not lose their innocence as long as the home environment remains warm, supportive and caring.
I have often wished the Holy Father would canonize someone with special limitations and gifts. Maybe even some recognition of their collective holiness in the heart of the Church, where the “Little Way” of St. Thérése is a gift from God, natural to them. What a countercultural example this would be, and what a catechesis for the members of the Church and other Christians that we truly do value the life, dignity and instruction of these “special people of God.”
FATHER BRADLEY L. PETERSON, O. CARM.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Priory
Tucson, Arizona
Mel's Gospel
Regarding “Box Office Passion” (Feb. 22-28):
Mel Gibson has always been entertaining, starting with Mad Max. After his initial success he seemed to play around with his roles but never did comedy well. Then he got behind the camera. It seemed [ridiculous] to have Scotsmen in war paint in Braveheart, but the power of the film overshadowed the aberration. So here we are at The Passion of the Christ. Once again Mel breathes new life into an old story.
The fact is, “persecution” is an even older story. Christ's persecution and death would not have been news without [the Gospel's] roots in Judaism. It is Moses and subsequent writers of the Bible who have given universal lessons beyond the usual gossip and small talk of daily living and let us see the bigger picture. Christ is a product of this culture.
In the spectrum of emotion, we are aware of things of this world that so defy logic that we cry out in anger to see a fool try. That fool will fall if he defies our sense of purpose. He will be hunted down and pay with his life. Many have. Many will. We all must come to Christ on the road to Calvary. Go there. Spit on him and stone him. Scream at him. Eventually drink his blood and eat his flesh. He has given everyone that right.
The Jews killed Christ? The Jews made the darkest part of the human heart visible by providing a vehicle in Scripture for Christ to ascend. You cannot be a Christian unless you acknowledge that you killed Christ. You then live in him.
Not having seen the movie, I hope Mel makes that point and thanks God for Judaism.
FRED STEWART
Grand Junction, Colorado
Mark of the Mandatum
I love your articles on colleges that have publicly accepted the mandatum.
May I suggest that you have a small box on the last page each week listing all the colleges that have informed you that they accept the mandatum? For example: the college, address and phone number with a short statement such as, “Looking for a good Catholic college? Try one of these.”
I don't know the cost to you; maybe someone would pay for the ad. This would certainly put some pressure on those “Catholic” colleges that are afraid to take a stand.
ELMER FANGMAN
Correction
Regarding “Catholic Groups Make Headway in Bible-Study Programs” (Feb. 15-21):
The correct phone number for MACH1 Ministries is (218) 236-5396.
