Posted on 03/11/2004 9:02:33 AM PST by rcath60
PLEASE READ, AND IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
An Open Letter and Respectful Petition
Dear Mr. Gibson,
We, the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, together with the undersigned, wish to publicly express our gratitude to you and all those who participated in your recent production, "The Passion of the Christ". We who have viewed this film agree that it is not simply another movie about Our Lord, but an extraordinary work of sacred art. Your creative efforts have offered us new spiritual insights and have led us into an intimate encounter with Christ.
In this open letter we want to thank you for this wonderful accomplishment and also commend your efforts in presenting the story of Our Lord's passion which was so faithful to the written text of the Holy Gospel, and wonderfully harmonious with the mystical experiences and spiritual insights of both saints and scholars through the history of the Church.
We also want to publicly attest that this movie has in no manner diminished the respect and fraternal affection we have for the Jewish people. As Christians, or people of good will, we reject and abhor any form of prejudice; namely, negative attitudes or hurtful words or actions which offend both charity and justice. We who are Catholics most especially stand united with Pope John Paul II who has publicly acknowledged such offenses and has humbly begged forgiveness from both God and man.
Indeed, we acknowledge and affirm that your work, "The Passion of the Christ", conforms to the official teaching of the Catholic Church that no one race or religion can be blamed for the crucifixion of Jesus. As we believe He died for the sins of all , then each of us, in turn, shares in the guilt.
Mr. Gibson, in this letter while we desire to express our deep appreciation and fraternal support in your making of the "The Passion of the Christ", we also ask you to prayerfully discern the will of God as we present this petition.
While we hope you are considering producing another wonderful work of art for God's glory, we ask you, or may we say, "commission you", to produce a sequel which would show the world what happens when a person totally and unequivocally responds to the Passion of the Christ!
Mr. Gibson, we want you to tell the world the story, the true story, about a man many acclaim to be the Church's greatest saint; a man who most perfectly imitated Our Lord in His life and passion, namely , Saint Francis of Assisi. For this reason , we propose that the title of this work be called; "Man of the Passion".
We, the undersigned, ask you to apply your best efforts and resources to this worthy and needed project. While this story has been portrayed on the screen in the past; it has been done poorly. This powerful figure who shaped and changed the course of history has too often been reduced to a pious, peace-loving character cast in plaster. His spiritual zeal, ardent devotion, mystical insight, and heroic charity have been terribly distorted. These are the realities our society needs to learn and apply, not only for its spiritual edification, but perhaps for it's very survival.
We believe Saint Francis' true identity and authentic spirituality is most evident in his writings. Yet these have either been completely ignored or so severely edited that the radical challenge presented to the world by this saint has been reduced and rendered powerless. This is, no doubt, due to the very catholicity of his faith and the radical demands of the Gospel he not only preached - but lived.
Any objective and honest readings of his writings and ancient biographies show us:
Saint Francis was neither effeminate nor some medieval ecologist. He did not love animals or nature, rather, he was a man filled with Divine fire which softened his spirit and illuminated his soul to perceive God's presence and appreciate His goodness in all creation.
Saint Francis was neither a religious rebel nor spiritual reformer who pitted himself against the Church. While he was well aware of the weakness of the clergy, he held an ardent affection and respect towards the holy priesthood and episcopacy. He was, in fact, tenacious in his fidelity to the Church and spent himself personally supporting, applying, and promoting the reforms set in motion by the Fourth Lateran Council, especially those relating to the Most Holy Eucharist.
Saint Francis was also not a social activist who lived with the poor as some protest against the wealth of his father. Neither did he view material possessions as something evil, nor believe the poor were somehow better than the rich. Rather, Saint Francis lived, loved and embraced his " Lady Poverty" and took her as his spouse solely because God Himself became poor in Christ for the salvation of the world.
Indeed, Saint Francis was a man of the passion! His contemplation of the cross and the humility of Christ consumed him, often reducing him to tears. His life teaches us that each of us must walk the way of the cross, a path that leads to liberty - the land of the living. Daily he decided to push forward upon the path of penance, that is, continual conversion. He laid his life upon this altar and was each day slowly but steadily sanctified. Through the workings of human effort and Divine Grace, he was transformed from a spoiled son, to a chivalrous soldier, then to a great saint!
Mr. Gibson, for these reasons, and many more, we believe that this is indeed the right movie with the right message at the right time. We trust that " Man of the Passion" will not simply be another religious movie, but like "The Passion of the Christ", a sacred masterpiece and holy encounter. We are not simply reguesting that you produce another movie about Saint Francis of Assisi, we are really asking you to produce the world's very first!
We who sign this petition not only promise to see the movie, but also to encourage our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors to do the same. It is our fervent hope that your noble efforts worthy of such a great saint will not only touch the hearts and illuminate the minds of the faithful, but more importantly reach those who are now distant from the Church and the Holy Gospel She proclaims.
We trust Saint Francis of Assisi , the "Man of the Passion", will not only bring people of every faith and good will closer to one another, but also draw each viewer into the heart of the Church which is nothing less than the very heart of Christ.
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