I look forward to the being able to watch the French film Of Gods and Men at Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast during the week beginning 31 December 2010 (according to Artificial Eye).
Seven French Cistercian monks were kidnapped and then killed at Tibhirine in Algeria, amidst rising religious and factional violence. Their murderers were never found.
“When it happened, as a nation, France was shocked,” says the film’s producer Etienne Comar.
“Ten years later in 2006, the same questions resurfaced. Why did it happen? Why did they die? I decided, as a movie, that rather than portray their death, it was more interesting to show them living. There is no answer to their deaths.”
Here is a clip – I want to see more.
Viewers see the monks going about their daily business: praying, singing, healing the sick, cooking in the most unhurried, un-modern fashion.
loc. cit.
This is what happens in monasteries – the silence, the prayer, the listening and searching for God is what is important there.
Prayer for religious vocations
Hail Mary, full of grace;
all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High,
filled with faith, you responded:
“Let it be done unto me.”
Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform his first sign.
Be with us as we discern our life’s work
and guide us in the way we are called to follow
in the footsteps of your Son.
Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross
you mourned the death of your only Son.
Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests,
deacons, brothers and sisters.
Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd,
turn your motherly care to this nation.
Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest
in this land dedicated to your honor.
Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time.
Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew
in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim
the good news of everlasting life.
Amen.
Links
Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (American Site)
Related Articles
- Monk tragedy proves surprise hit (bbc.co.uk)
- Of Gods and Men: monastic murder mystery (telegraph.co.uk)
- The unlikeliest box-office hit: a film about doomed French monks (guardian.co.uk)
Gyronny Herald 