VATICAN INSIDER: HOPE AND THE SHRINE OF KNOCK – POPE FRANCIS: ELDERLY HAVE A ROLE IN GOD’S SAVING PLAN

VATICAN INSIDER: HOPE AND THE SHRINE OF KNOCK

My guest in the interview segment of Vatican Insider is Irish writer, producer and director – and member of the EWTN Ireland family – Campbell Miller. Born in the North of Ireland, Campbell is known for Award-winning films such as Respite at Christmas, Poison Tree and Family. His debut feature documentary ‘Bravery Under Fire’ was the story of an Irish Jesuit Priest who was a much-loved chaplain in World War 1.

Campbell talks about his career and highlights his latest riveting docudrama produced with EWTN, “Hope, Our Lady of Knock.” As I wrote in this column after the January 27 Vatican premiere: “The film starts by looking at the dramatic years of the potato famine in Ireland when 1 million Irish died of hunger and 1 million emigrated, but it is above all a story of hope as it principally tells the story of the beloved Shrine of Knock. “Hope” weaves a beautiful tapestry that joins the two moments of Irish history – the 1840s famine and the appearance of the Virgin Mary at Knock August on 21, 1879 when yet another famine threatened the nation. Hope was always the main ingredient in the hearts of the Irish and was greatly aided by Our Lady’s 1879 appearance.

Campbell is shown here with three women of the Catholic Grandparents Association (who will be my guests in coming weeks on Vatican Insider) at the premiere of “Hope”:

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POPE FRANCIS: ELDERLY HAVE A ROLE IN GOD’S SAVING PLAN

Participants at a conference on the pastoral care of the elderly were received in audience by Pope Francis on Friday. In his address, the Holy Father invited the Church to “change her pastoral attitudes in order to respond to the presence of so many elderly people in families and communities.”
By Christopher Wells (vaticannews)

At an audience for participants in a conference on pastoral care of the elderly, Pope Francis said old-age is “a precious treasure that takes shape in the journey of every man and woman’s life, whatever their origins, background, or economic or social conditions.” He said, “Life is a gift, and when it is long it is a privilege, for oneself and for others. Always.” He called on the Church to care for the elderly, going to them with “a smile on your face and the Gospel in your hands”.

He noted that the world is facing a significant demographic change, with fewer young people and a large increase in the number of elderly. He said that issues facing the elderly – including social disorientation, and societal attitudes of indifference and rejection, are a call to the Church and to society “to serious reflection in order to learn to grasp and appreciate the value of old age”

The richness of people
Referring to the theme of the conference, Pope Francis said, “the richness of many years of life… is the richness of people, of every single person who has many years of life experience and history behind them”.

The Pope welcomed the conference, and asked that it not remain “an isolated initiative”, but might be the start “of a journey of pastoral deepening and discernment”. “We need to change our pastoral habits in order to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities”, he said.

Old age is a blessing
He reminded us that, in the Bible “longevity is a blessing”, and that the elderly, too, have a place in God’s saving plan. “Aware of the irreplaceable role of the elderly”, the Pope said, “the Church becomes a place where generations are called to share God’s loving plan, in a relationship of a mutual exchange of the gifts of the Holy Spirit”. Both old and young, he said, are “the future of the Church”.

In particular, Pope Francis said that grandparents are “the indispensable link in educating children and young people in the faith”. The elderly, he insisted, should be not only the objects of the Church’s care, but also “actors in a pastoral evangelizing ministry, privileged witnesses of God’s faithful love”.

Do not be afraid!
Pope Francis concluded his address with words of encouragement, saying, “Do not be afraid. Take initiatives. Help your Bishops and Dioceses to promote pastoral service to and with the elderly. Do not be discouraged… Go forward!”

CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH CARDINAL FARRELL, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-01/conference-at-vatican-focuses-on-pastoral-care-of-the-elderly.html

HOPE, OUR LADY OF KNOCK, PREMIERES AT VATICAN

HOPE, OUR LADY OF KNOCK, PREMIERES AT VATICAN

I was with these amazing ladies last night during and after the Vatican premiere of the film, “Hope, Our Lady of Knock,” a riveting docudrama produced by EWTN in Ireland. I met Marilyn Henry (to my right) and Catherine Wiley (second from left) last year in Rome: Catherine founded the Catholic Grandparents Association and Marilyn founded the American branch of this association.

Catherine and Marilyn are in Rome for the three-day conference that starts tomorrow in the Paul VI Hall entitled “The Richness of Many Years of Life,” about the pastoral care for the elderly. The conference was organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. Jane is involved with the American association and we met only last night but she told me she’s a great follower and fan of Joan’s Rome TV spots on EWTN! She had just arrived Rome after participating in the March for Life in Washington.

The film starts by looking at the dramatic years of the potato famine in Ireland when 1 million Irish died of hunger and 1 million emigrated, but it is above all a story of hope as it principally tells the story of the beloved Shrine of Knock. “Hope” weaves a beautiful tapestry that joins the two moments of Irish history – the 1840s famine and the appearance of the Virgin Mary at Knock August on 21, 1879. Hope was always the main ingredient in the hearts of the Irish and was greatly aided by Our Lady’s 1879 appearance.

“Hope” was shown in the small theatre, the Vatican Filmoteca, a former chapel, in Vatican City that is part of the communications dicastery. It brought together the writer and producer Campbell Miller, his parents, Fr. Richard Gibbons, Knock shrine rector, a number of the shrine staff and parishioners, several of the actors and Bishop Michael Neary of Tuam. There was quite the Irish contingent at the filming in addition to the principals I just mentioned and members of the Rome EWTN bureau.

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Woven throughout the film are riveting interviews with Fr. Gibbons, several bishops, the staff of the shrine and the story of just one of the many ‘miracolata’, a woman cured at the shrine – as they recount this impelling story.

The Irish who had come to Rome for the premiere also attended Pope Francis’ Mass Sunday as the Church celebrated the first ever Sunday of the Word of God. The Holy Father blessed the new pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Knock, present at the papal altar during Mass. Another special moment for the Irish pilgrims was when the Schola Cantorum Basilicae choir from Knock Shrine performed the much-loved ‘Our Lady of Knock’ hymn.

EWTN and the Irish visitors, especially from our Ireland office, arranged a reception after the premiere and, as they say, a good time was had by all. Fascinating conversations among the protagonists and new insights into people, the Knock shrine and so many issues. We were joined by Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell of Los Angeles (he is in Rome for the ad limina visit by the bishops of California, Nevada and Hawaii). (photos by Daniel Ibanez of EWTN/CNA: Knock Shrine group photo by JFL)

When I have more information on when, where and at what time this film will be shown I will let you all know. In the meantime, check this out: https://www.ewtnireland.com/