Media Mindfulness Blog

Inherent in films of the popular culture are deeper truths about our lives and all of creation. By looking at The Lion King from the view of Catholic Social Teaching we discover how catechesis can incorporate popular cinema.

Sr Rose offers an insightful article called, "Faith-Based Media Literacy Education, History" for the International Encyclopedia of Media Literacy.

Sr Rose Pacatte attended the Cannes Film Festival and shares about Terrance Malick's new film "A Hidden Life," about the famed Franz Jägerstätter. A beautifully patient film that touches deeply on the purpose and meaning of our lives.

A new film about the life of Mary Magdalene challenges past images of her as conflated with the sinful woman in Luke's Gospel and instead shows her to be the faithful, intelligent disciple of Jesus along with the Apostles.

When a boy falls through the ice in Lake St Louis, Missouri and remains brain dead for more than an hour, all hope for his survival seems lost, until his mother refuses to give up on him. Her fierce faith and trust in God proves that miracles do happen!

Celebrating the Feast of the Chair of St Peter on social media: do we need a special “spam filter” for that? By guest contributor Sr. Anne Joan Flanagan, FSP.

Based on the writings of their founder, Blessed James Alberione, the Daughters of St Paul have created the "Canticle of Praise for the Media in Today's World." This special prayer helps us to see the technological inventions for communication as gifts of God to be used wisely in order to uphold the dignity of every human person and to proclaim the truth, beauty, and goodness of God.

In today's social media climate, I want to offer a means to grow in media mindfulness and personal reflection. Only if we seek silence, prayer, and personal reflection can we project the media virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Holy Spirit, guide our online choices and give the spirit of discernment as we navigate the internet and our social media feeds!

As we liturgically reflect on St Paul's conversion story, we can look to film for inspiration on how that practically happens in people's lives. A true conversion or metanoia is really about a "change of heart," a transformation that takes place at the core of one's humanity. See my list of 10 films that do this so well.

The classic film about Archbishop Oscar Romero is re-mastered just in time for the canonization of this bishop who stood for the poor, even at the expense of his own life.