EWTN’s docudrama ‘Speak of the devil – Spiritual warfare’ teaches us how to fight and win the battle with satan

Posted on October 15, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

Do you believe the devil exists? Do you know how he operates and how you might unwittingly open the door to evil in your life? Do you know how to best defend yourself against his accusations and deceptions?

The father in this drama doesn’t know if his youngest son has killed their priest, but he goes to rescue him from his evil companions anyway.

In EWTN’s stunning new docudrama, “Speak of the Devil – Spiritual warfare,’ Director Campbell Miller takes you inside a pious medieval family whose youngest son is seduced by the devil in a riveting retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son. As the drama unfolds, we hear from experts in spiritual warfare who explain what is happening on a supernatural level and the many weapons we have in our battle against the evil one. Watch the story unfold in all its medieval splendor at 10 p.m. ET, Oct. 20 when EWTN premieres “Speak of the devil – Spiritual warfare.”

The event will be preceded at 8 p.m. ET by a special “EWTN Live” with Miller and Executive Producer Aidan Gallagher from EWTN’s Ireland office who will take you behind the scenes to show you not only how the film was made, but the spiritual battle they had to fight in order to get the project completed. This truly is don’t miss television! (Additional airings at 10:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 21; 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 23; and 1:30 am. ET, Monday, Oct. 25.)

The devil is a monster of deception.

“People don’t realize the devil exists,” says Miller. “When you dabble with the occult, you’re opening the door. But we have weapons and armor that have been given us by our Lord to fight it. That is the one thing I would like the viewer to take away.”

“One of [satan’s] greatest weapons is deception,” Miller continues. “People believe he’s only the symbol of evil. Reiki, palm reading, the Ouija board, angel cards – they all open the door to evil. I’ve heard of people talking about angel cards. They’re using Christian terminology so people think it’s Christian warfare they are taking part in.”

EWTN Host Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is one of our spiritual guides in this EWTN Original docudrama.

As the film opens, Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., theologian, author and EWTN TV host, explains that the devil is very real and it’s our job to know who he is and how he fights. “We are in a spiritual war with demonic powers,” says Father Mitch. “These spiritual forces try to prevent human beings from making a decision to love God. They will do everything in their power to stop us from being with our Father.”

Have you ever thought about the devil in this way?

Viewers will learn a lot by watching this film. For example, did you know that while we have many weapons to help us resist evil, we have only one to actively fight it – and you may be surprised to discover that it’s the Word of God!

God gives us a guardian angel (man in blue) to walk with us (the youngest son who represents all of us) in good times and in times of danger and temptation.

Did you know that we are not only commanded to pray every day, we are commanded to read and pray the BIBLE every day? According to Father Pat Collins, C.M., Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland: “If I’m not reading from Scripture, I don’t have a sword! The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God!”

We know this is true because our Savior modeled this weapon for us in his own battle with satan in the desert where he had gone to fast and pray for 40 days. The fasting and prayer prepared Him for battle, but Paul Thigpen, author of “Manual for Spiritual Warfare,” says: “When He [Jesus] actually engaged the enemy, He used Scripture!” “The enemy tries to come at you to make you afraid. ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I will not fear.’ The enemy comes at you with an accusation. ‘The accuser of our brothers has been cast out.’”

Scripture is powerful—and so is the name of Jesus! These are just a few of the many powerful weapons we learn about – or gain a new appreciation for – even as we become engrossed in a truly gripping drama.

The devil and his minions hunt are not about to let the youngest son go his own way.

The many obstacles encountered in the making of this film showed cast and crew that the devil was not happy about this project. Miller said he thought the last film he made, which told the story of Our Lady of Knock, was tough, but he says this film took spiritual warfare to a whole new level.

First, filming was cancelled because of the pandemic. When things finally opened up again, a lot of work had to be redone because cast and crew – including makeup artists and costume designers – had moved on to other jobs, which were paying a post pandemic premium for such workers. Thanks to Brexit (Great Britain leaving the European Union), getting costumes, props, and various other materials was next to impossible.

Worst of all, the site where a large part of the docudrama had been filmed was bought by another entity, which meant the film’s incredible medieval setting was being made into a pristine wedding venue. Because of all the construction work taking place around them, a day of filming which might normally take 12 hours could take 20 to 21 hours. “At one point, the crew had only eight hours of sleep in nearly three days!” say Miller. “But everybody came together and we fought through these issues.”

Director Campbell Miller (center) on location in Ireland.

This film is brimming with information all of us desperately need to hear. You’ll learn what the most terrifying moment in history was for the devil, about the moment when the devil is most afraid of us; why we must be sensitive to the voice of the angels; and what happens when we don’t pray.

The good news is that the spiritual battle is not just about us looking for God. “The Hound of Heaven chases us down the highways and byways of life.” This film will encourage you to let yourself be caught!

The film is set in a stunning medieval setting.

Find out what you can do to not only fight the enemy but win when EWTN premieres one of the important films you will see this year – and please, bring your friends and family to the viewing. We promise it will be a night to remember!

Note: Want more? View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0HI7J5b8sc

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‘Metanoia:’ EWTN’s New Series Teaches You How To Have a Personal Relationship With Jesus

Posted on September 17, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

Are you looking for a way to get closer to Jesus? If so, you will definitely want to make a commitment to watch EWTN’s newest series, “Metanoia,” and to share it with family and friends. (Airs 6 p.m. ET, Saturdays, with an encore at 5:30 a.m. ET Tuesdays and coming soon on www.ewtnrc.com.)

The term “metanoia” may not be familiar to everyone, but Host Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR (President of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and host of “The Wild Goose” series on EWTN) tells us that metanoia is a reference to conversion, to a mind and a life changed through Jesus – and it’s not something that should be experienced only once.

When discussing his new series on the set of “Franciscan University Presents” (which airs Sundays, the first full week of the month, at 10 p.m. ET), Fr. Dave told the hosts that he once discussed metanoia/conversion with a student who he later discovered he had unintentionally insulted because she had fallen into the trap of thinking that her conversion was a once and done experience.

Franciscan University Professor Scott Hahn agreed saying that he had recently met with a group of people with whom he had walked in faith 40 years ago. He was struck by how many were talking about their faith life in the same way they had so many years ago. As the saying goes, if we are not moving ahead in our faith life, we are falling behind.

Fr. Dave kicked off this 10-part series, which was beautifully filmed in the Holy Land, with an episode last week that posed the same question to viewers that Jesus posed to his disciples: Who do you say I am? In other words, the series challenges us to go beyond a textbook answer by asking each of us to answer the question: Who is God to ME? And then: Is that who God REALLY is?

This series is unique in that it includes testimonies of people from all walks of life, as well as Fr. Dave himself, who share their own answers to this and other questions such as – How can I hope to achieve victory over satan? How do I deal with the “hard sayings” in Scripture? How do I show Jesus that I love Him? – and so many more!

One woman bared her soul in the first episode, saying she always felt she had been a good Catholic until she delivered a child born with cerebral palsy. This was the first time she faced such a big challenge. At first, she thought that, since she had always been a pretty good person, she could just ask God to cure her child and He would. In other words, she saw Jesus as a “Genie” or “Santa Claus.” But He didn’t grant her the cure she requested.

It wasn’t until later that she finally admitted to Jesus that she didn’t really know Him, that she felt like a fraud in her faith, and she humbly asked Him to help her see Him as He really is. That’s when Jesus revealed Himself to her as “Love, Mercy, my Friend, my Brother, my Love – and He doesn’t abandon us,” she said.

Father Dave himself says that, as a teenager, he prayed that his brother would be able to see how wrong he was about something. Days later, a car his brother was working on fell on his head! Although his brother was ultimately okay, Father Dave said that experience left him with an impression of God as a harsh disciplinarian. It wasn’t until eight years later that God revealed to Him that his impression was very wrong. As Fr. Dave says: “Jesus is not who we WANT [or suppose] Him to be.”

If you missed Episode 1, don’t worry. This episode, and all the episodes to follow, will soon be available on www.ewtnrc.com. But you can jump in anytime for answers to many more important questions such as – What must I do to inherit eternal life? Why does Scripture say I must die in order to live? How is it possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus? – and many others!

Father Dave prays that through this series you will discover the ultimate truth about Our Lord: “He is more than you can imagine!”

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EWTN Radio’s Open Line-Up Of Heavy Hitters

Posted on July 13, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

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Montse Grases: Find Out Why This Teen’s Life Shows Holiness Is Possible For Everyone

Posted on July 8, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn
Photo of the real Montse Grases, now Venerable, whose story is told in the new EWTN docu-drama “They Might Be Saints: Montse Grases” with Host Michael O’Neill.

The beatification of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis caused great excitement in the Church, especially among young Catholics. Now, Catholics have yet another young person to get excited about: 17-year-old Montse Grases of Spain, who we discover is on the path to sainthood. Find out more when EWTN airs “They Might Be Saints: Montse Grases,” which airs at 11:30 a.m. ET, Saturday, July 10, and 11 p.m. ET, Wednesday, July 14 on EWTN.

“I think everybody gets excited about these young people – the Fatima children, St. Thérèse, Maria Goretti, Carlo Acutis,” says “They Might Be Saints” series Host/Writer/Producer Michael O’Neill, aka The Miracle Hunter. “It inspires the youth and gives hope to the Church.”

Scene from the new EWTN docudrama “They Might Be Saints: Montse Grases” with Host Michael O’Neill.

This teenager, who was declared Venerable on April 26, 2016 for living a life of heroic virtue, was a lay member of Opus Dei. If she is beatified, she will follow in the footsteps of Chemist Guadalupe Ortiz and become the second woman and second lay member of the international Catholic institution to achieve this.

The central message of Opus Dei, with approximately 100,000 lay members and 2,000 priests worldwide, involves the universal call to holiness. It teaches people to offer up their daily work and the ordinary things of everyday life to God.

Montse Grases, who died of cancer of the leg, offered up her sufferings for the Pope and for the founder of Opus Dei, an international Catholic institution of which she was a member.

“Montse fit into that idea that you don’t have to do spectacular deeds,” says O’Neill. “She was a regular teenager, with a sparkling personality, who loved who loved to play the guitar, sing songs, dance, perform in plays, and play basketball and tennis.

“She was able to take those occasions of ordinary life and share her faith with friends, to do things well, and to offer her sufferings up to God. She inspired others by her holiness in everyday life.”

Montse died of Ewing Sarcoma, a cancerous tumor that grows around a bone or the tissue surrounding the bone; in this case, her leg. She offered her suffering for the Pope and for the founder of Opus Dei. “She set a great example for those who surrounded her,” says O’Neill. “She died well.”

Ven. Montse Grases lived the life of an ordinary Spanish teenager extraordinarily well.

Viewers of this episode will hear from a full roster of people, including the Prelate of Opus Dei, and the Vice Postulator of her Cause for Canonization, and will hear the story of a remarkable favor that took place through Montse’s intercession.

“The intercession involved a 2 ½ year old girl. Out of the blue she began having extreme health conditions. During her interview, the child’s mother says their life had gotten out of control and an MRI revealed a tumor in the hypothalamus. This was removed in surgery, after which the young girl started going downhill.”

Although the mother admitted that she was not one to pray to the saints, she started to see the face of Montse in her mind so she directed her prayers there.

Scene from the new EWTN docudrama “They Might Be Saints: Montse Grases” with Host Michael O’Neill.

“The next day she went to the doctor’s office and the child started to recover,” O’Neill said. “This surgery had never been done in that way before. It was a remarkable and unexpected success. Because it involved medical intervention, it is not the type of healing considered by Rome for a beatification miracle but this was a tremendous favor. These are the types of intercessions they are seeing.”

O’Neill says it’s Montse’s simplicity that he, and others, find so appealing.

“We have this idea that saints must be these famous people who accomplished a huge checklist of things. It makes us all feel that we’ll never get there. Her life is so simple yet so inspiring. Her story shows that if you live your life well and offer up your struggles and sufferings and the difficulties of life, you can achieve holiness too.”

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Why Is ‘Blessed Angelico’ The Patron Saint of Artists?

Posted on June 24, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

 

“The Transfiguration,” a painting by Blessed Angelico, can be found at Museum of St. Mark in Florence, Italy.

He was one of the most important artists of his time. In fact, his work was so influential that Pope John Paul II beatified this Dominican priest on Oct. 3, 1982, and less than two years later declared him the patron saint of artists. His name is Fra Angelico, now Blessed Angelico, and viewers are invited to get to know him in a brand new documentary by Elisabetta Valgiusti, which was produced by EWTN in collaboration with Save the Monasteries. “Blessed Angelico” premieres at 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, June 27, with an encore at 5 a.m. ET, Friday, July 2, on EWTN.

This image of St. Dominic is part of a large painting called “The Crucifixion,” which Blessed Angelico painted on the wall of a monk’s cell. The painting also features the Virgin and St. Mary Magdalene. Actor Ciro Toto portrays Blessed Angelico in this scene from a documentary by the same name.

Fra Angelico was a simple and holy man, but the times he lived in were neither simple nor holy. It was the time of the Western Schism, which saw the rise of three rival Popes, each with their own following. At the same time, St. Catherine of Siena, who lived 50 years before Fra Angelico, sought to reform the Dominican order after many in the order stopped following the original rule of St. Dominic.

“The Annunciation,” one of two similar paintings by Blessed Angelico, is housed in Museum of St. Mark in Florence, Italy. See his other painting of the same scene later in this article.

”Although he came after St. Catherine, Fra Angelico was very influenced by her teachings,” said Writer and Filmmaker Elisabetta Valgiusti. “It is interesting that he is buried next to her in St. Maria Sopra Minerva Dominican Basilica in Rome.”

So how did Blessed Angelico help revive the fervor of his order? Instead of preaching or writing or any of the usual methods, Fra Angelico did something unexpected. He painted.

Blessed Angelico’s painting of St. Dominic adoring Christ Crucified. This work of art, housed in the Museum of St. Mark in Florence, Italy, can also be seen in the documentary “Blessed Angelo.”

“Angelico preaches by painting,” Valgiusti says. “The main point of my documentary is to show people that his works are icons; their purpose is to allow faithful enter and contemplate the divine mysteries, to make people pray. He wants to bring people closer to Christ and to Our Lady, to help people know them.”

Incredibly, the documentary takes us to the large dormitory at St. Mark’s Convent in Florence, Italy, where Fra Angelico painted the cells of all of the friars. Today, that convent is a museum.

The Community of St. Leolino, a Catholic Order, hosts celebrations and religious activities as well as important artistic and cultural events.

“Fra Angelico’s works are much more famous that he is,” Valgiusti says. “That’s why I wanted  to make him better known. Most of the angels you see all over the world – on posters, cups, book bags, whatever – are his! But you don’t know it’s his work. He has really been exploited in a commercial sense.”

In addition to Florence, viewers will travel with Valgiusti to other cities in Tuscany, where Fra Angelico was born and where he lived in the Dominican Convent of Fiesole, as well as to Rome, to Cortona and to St. Giovanni Valdarno, where two of his great paintings of the Annunciation are housed. As a Catholic filmmaker, Valgiusti  interviewed theologians, scholars, and contemporary Christian artists who know and love Fra Angelico, not only for the beauty of his art, but for his spiritual significance as a painter as well as the patron saint of artists.

“Noli me tangere,” another painting by Blessed Angelico at the Museum of St. Mark in Florence, Italy.

A brother of Fra Angelico at St. Mark Convents once said that Fra Angelico “does not paint, he prays.” Theologian Hans Van Balthasar said Fra Angelico’s art perfectly represents the motto of the Dominican Order: “Communicating to others the contemplated mysteries.”

Fra Angelico never worked on anything other than religious subjects saying, “who does Christ’s work must stay with Christ always.” In today’s difficult environment, both in and out of the Church, this priest/artist’s work is particularly relevant and needed.

Blessed Angelico’s second painting of “The Annunciation” is housed in the Diocesan Museum of St. Giovanni Valdarno. Which is the better painting? Let the viewer decide!

You won’t want to miss Valgiiusti’s beautiful documentary on the life and works of one of the most famous Catholic artists in history. If you don’t know Blessed Angelico, please allow Valgiusti to introduce you. If you do know him, you will want to revel in the beauty of his artistry and hear more about the messages this man of God tried so hard to communicate through his art.

Note: For more details about the “Blessed Angelico” program, please go to https://www.savethemonasteries.org/

Posted in Bishops, Priests, Religious, Blesseds, Church Around the World, Religious art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EWTN Honors First Millennial Beatified By The Catholic Church

Posted on May 24, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

Scene from “Blessed Carlo Acutis – From London to the World.” Airs 11:30 a.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2 on EWTN.

Carlo Acutis was only 15 when he died of leukemia, but ever since Pope Francis beatified him on Oct. 10, 2020, his worldwide popularity has soared! How did a teenage computer whiz come to be beatified? Find out during “Carlo Acutis Week,” June 1-5, when EWTN will premiere six new programs on the would-be saint, including two EWTN Original documentaries as well as a special episode of EWTN’s Rome-based weekly magazine, “Vaticano.”

Most of the publicity surrounding this British-born Italian-raised teen rightly focuses on his extraordinary love for the Eucharist, which he manifested very concretely by collecting all of the world’s Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church on one website – 2,000 years of history! That’s the reason EWTN proclaimed the week preceding the June 6th Feast of Corpus Christi as Carlo Acutis week. As you might suspect, Carlo was also a great advocate of Eucharistic Adoration, saying: “People who put themselves before the sun get tanned. People who put themselves before the Eucharist become saints.”

As a young child, Carlo would exhort his mother, who admits she had only attended Mass three times in her entire life (First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage), to take him into any church they passed so he could go in and greet the crucified Jesus!

However, as you will learn during the documentaries airing throughout the week, young Carlo’s love for Jesus and the Eucharist manifested itself in many ways. As a young child, Carlo would exhort his mother, who admits she had only attended Mass three times in her entire life (First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage), to take him into any church they passed so he could go in and greet the crucified Jesus! Thanks to his extraordinary witness to the Eucharist, Carlo ended up converting (or reconverting) many to Catholicism, including his Brahmin Hindu tutor.

Carlo’s evangelization was born of his love for God. He would explain to people that the world is full of temptations such as sex, alcohol, and much of television and that this is how the devil enters our lives. He would say we can’t face the situation alone. We need the Word of God, and the sacraments. However, far from turning people off, Carlo charmed and challenged those who met him by saying such things as: “Heaven is how you live with the Lord.”

Scene from “I Am With You – A Documentary on Carlo Acutis.” Airs 5:30 p.m. Et, Tuesday, June 1 and 2:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2.

The life of this young boy, which included wonderful acts of charity, will stir your heart. Don’t miss any of the documentaries airing during EWTN’s Carlo Acutis Week. They include:

  • Vaticano- Blessed Carlo Acutis Special: EWTN’s weekly magazine from Rome explores the growing popularity of Blessed Carlo and his Eucharistic exhibition around the world. (Airs 4:00 pm. ET, Sunday, May 30, and 6:30 pm ET, Thursday, June 3.) (30 min.)
  • I Am With You – A Documentary on Carlo Acutis: This EWTN original documentary, filmed on location in Italy, chronicles the life and witness of Blessed Carlo Acutis. It features photos, interviews and recollections with family, friends and others who knew him. (Airs 5:30 p.m. Et, Tuesday, June 1 and 2:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2.) (30 min.)
  • Blessed Carlo Acutis – From London to the World: This EWTN documentary on the London connection to Blessed Carlo Acutis features his mother, Antonia, and Fr. Alexander Sherbrooke, whose dynamic parish in Soho mirrors Carlo’s intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. (Airs 11:30 a.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2.) (30 min.)
  • A Journey With Carlo: The impact of Blessed Carlo Acutis is felt in the lives of the young people who knew him well. Hear first-hand accounts from friends and family who paint a poignant picture of this remarkable young man in this short 20-minute documentary. (Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2 and 2:30 a.m., Thursday, June 3.)
  • Signs – Eucharistic Miracles: An examination of five Eucharistic miracles based on research conducted by Blessed Carlo Acutis prior to his death. These miraculous events, recognized by the Church, occurred in Poland, Italy, Argentina and Mexico. (Airs 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 2 and 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 5.) (60 min.)
  • My Highway to Heaven – Carlo Acutis and the Eucharist: Carlo Acutis’ biographer and others share personal stories of his extraordinary love, reverence and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and his deep devotion to Our Lady. (Airs 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 5.) (60 min.)

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Daughter of Charity Risked Death to Save Thousands From Nazi Death Camps: Watch ‘Network Of Freedom’ on EWTN

Posted on May 14, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

“Network of Freedom” is a powerful film that invites you to ask yourself: What would I do if my fellow countrymen were being forced from their homes, leaving their children to fend for themselves, and marched hundreds of miles to concentration camps? Would I be brave enough to help those being guarded by the invading force, generous enough to give away the food and clothing I might need myself or to help the children who were left homeless? Even in the face of lesser evils, this film challenges us to ask ourselves not only what would we do, but what have we done?

“Network of Freedom” showcases the true story of Sister Helene Studler, a Daughter of Charity, who put her own life in danger by organizing an underground network of freedom that saved more than 2,000 French refugees from Nazi death camps. According to newspaper accounts, those saved included François de Mitterrand, the future Prime Minister of France, and General Henri Giraud, who would later give Sister Helene the medal of the Legion of Honor. (Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 15, with an encore at 1:30 a.m. ET, Monday, May 17.)

How did a simple religious sister, who previously helped orphans and the poor from her office at the tiny Hospice of Saint Nicolas de Metz, and who we later learn was suffering from cancer, organize charitable efforts to feed, clothe, and minister to thousands of orphans and others in need? Even more incredibly, how did this sister manage to organize an escape system to spirit those in the Nazi death camps or in danger of being taken to such camps out from under Nazis noses to freedom?

Although she herself would narrowly escape the Gestapo, she would never again return to her city of Metz. However, she lived to hear the words “Metz is liberated,” and to reiterate her vows as a Daughter of Charity before succumbing to cancer.

According to an article in the Spring 1989 issue of the Vincentian Heritage Journal: “In memory of Sister Helene, her liberated prisoners erected in front of her hospice a memorial which speaks the best of her soul and her ideal. The image of “Our Lady of Prisoners” guards the front of the old hospice of Metz and perpetuates the memory of this heroic Daughter of Monsieur Vincent [de Paul].”

While this movie is in Spanish with English subtitles, it is well worth the effort to view. You will be inspired and humbled by the heroic acts of this incredible sister and be challenged to ask yourself: What would I do in a similar situation?

Posted in Bishops, Priests, Religious, Christian Persecution/Martyrs, Communism/Socialism, EWTN Hosts, Employees, Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A 28-Year Legal Battle Like No Other: Watch ‘Fighting for Life: The Story of NOW vs. Scheidler’ on EWTN

Posted on March 18, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

Today, most people in the United States take it for granted that they can protest – either in the streets or in print – something with which they disagree. But in 1986, that right was potentially challenged when the National Organization for Women (NOW) and two abortion providers sued a pro-life attorney named Joseph Scheidler in a case known as NOW vs. Scheidler.

This case, and a series of related lawsuits alleging everything from anti-trust to racketeering (RICO) violations, would take 28 years and three U.S. Supreme Court cases to resolve. Learn about the two men who gave everything to make the pro-life movement what it is today when EWTN airs “Fighting for Life: The Story of NOW vs. Scheidler.” (Airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Monday, March 22, and 11 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 24 on EWTN.)

Pro-Life Lawyer Joseph Scheidler taught the fledgling pro-life movement how to peacefully and effectively fight for life.

The story begins as Joseph Scheidler leaves his lucrative career as a business lawyer in the marketing industry to start the Pro-Life Action League, a bold voice for the unborn. He was a charismatic man who quickly became in great demand as a speaker. It was Scheidler who would teach members of the fledgling pro-life movement how to effectively protest against abortion. In response to the demand for information, he also wrote a book outlining 99 ways to fight for life.

NOW and two abortion providers launched their first attack by filing an anti-trust claim on behalf of all abortion providers and all women seeking access to abortion. They claimed that Scheidler’s book urged the shutdown of the entire abortion industry and was therefore anti-competition.

Tom Brejcha, the lawyer who gave up everything to defend Joseph Scheidler and his book detailing 99 Ways to fight pro-abortion forces. Along the way, Brejcha founded the Thomas More Society, which continues to defend pro-lifers to this day.

The firebrand business lawyer turned pro-life champion sought to counter the lawsuit by hiring an equally forceful lawyer to defend himself against these ridiculous charges. When he met lawyer Tom Brejcha, he admits he didn’t think Brejcha had it in him to do what needed to be done. But when Brejcha calmly informed him: “I win my cases,” Scheidler wisely decided to put his faith in the less flashy man. At the time, neither man realized the lengthy journey on which they were about to embark.

One of the more fascinating moments in the legal journey outlined in the film occurs during the second U.S. Supreme Court case, which involved the RICO allegations. It would lead Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the more liberal justices on the court, to ask the NOW attorney in oral arguments: “Could your theory have been used against the Civil Rights protestors?” When the answer was yes, Justice Ginsburg cut the attorney off. It was at that moment that the pro-life attorneys knew they had won that case. In the final opinion, Justices Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, considered two of the more liberal justices on the Court, quoted that exchange in their decision against NOW.

This excellent documentary also showcases the drama and the fortitude it took to survive NOW’s many lawsuits, and the personal fortitude of both pro-life attorneys. Brejcha was told he either had to give up the case or leave the law firm at which he was employed and also took some serious financial risks, which understandably scared his wife.

Former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director turned pro-life activist Abby Johnson says the Thomas More Society “stands hand in hand with [the prolife movement.]. We could never afford the legal services they provide.”

Brejcha would eventually found the Thomas More Society, which to this day defends those on the front lines of the pro-life movement. Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson says that pro-lifers know that “the Thomas More Society stands hand in hand with us. We could never afford the legal services they provide.”

What would motivate a young attorney to give up so much? Says Brejcha: “As a busy as a young litigator, I hadn’t been part of the pro-life movement or any protest movement, but I have come to believe that our rights come from the Creator, that they inalienable…that it’s a very honorable cause to serve during one’s lifetime.”

This film will help you realize what a huge debt the prolife movement owes to both the recently deceased Joseph Scheidler (may he rest in peace) and the quietly effective legal genius, Tom Brejcha. The story shows us yet again that the fight for freedom in the world is found not only on the battlefield but in the courtroom, and in the bravery of a small number of men and women who are willing to sacrifice their own lives so that others, including the unborn, may live.

Posted in Catholic Apostolates, Culture of Death, Current Issues, Pro-Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘Faith and Life’ Mini-Series Provides Hope For Our Fallen World

Posted on March 7, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

During a crisis, Catholics instinctively turn to their faith for the grace they need to handle tough times. But what if the Church itself, the nation, and the world are also in crisis? How do we cope?

Discover the inspirational stories of people who are truly living their faith and making a difference in the Church and in this turbulent world when EWTN premieres the first five parts of a new “Faith and Life” mini-series. (Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, March 8-12, on EWTN. See video promo here: PROMO faith and life.

Host and Film Director Campbell Miller, who EWTN viewers will know from his blockbuster docudramas “Hope: Our Lady of Knock,” and “Bravery Under Fire,”, kicks off the half-hour episodes with a focus on Fr. Richard Gibbons, rector of the famous Knock Shrine in Ireland.

Fr. Joseph Mary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Limerick, Ireleand.

Episode 2 will focus on Fr. Joseph Mary of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Fr. Joseph helped turn around a gang-run housing estate in Limerick, Ireland using lessons learned from his own teenage years and his conversion experience to evangelize the improve the lives of those around him. In this action-based mini-series, you’ll see Fr. Joseph take kids rock climbing and motorcycle riding, which are two of his own passions.

Fr. Martin O’Hagan, a member of the multi-platinum album selling group “The Priests,” with Writer/Producer Campbell Miller.

In another episode, you’ll meet Fr. Martin O’Hagan, a member of the multi-platinum album selling group “The Priests,” Other priests interviewed include Father La Flynn, Prior of the Lough Derg pilgrimage site in Ireland, which is also known as St. Patrick’s Purgatory; and Fr. Patrick Peyton, nephew of the rosary priest by the same name.

Father La Flynn, Prior of the Lough Derg pilgrimage site in Ireland, which is also known as St. Patrick’s Purgatory.

“These people didn’t have to give up their hobbies and interests to become priests,” Miller said in explaining his interest in his first round of guests. “Their interests actually added something to their ministry. They used these talents to reach out to young people, taking them out rock climbing and fishing, or to a concert singing hymns to our Lord. I want to show that people within the Church are not these two-dimensional figures. There’s much more to them than that.”

However, this week is only the beginning. As the pandemic eases, Miller plans to travel the world to interview a number of fascinating lay people, who are living inspirational lives as well, but you’ll have to tune in to find out who they are!

Writer/Director Campbell Miller hosts “Faith and Life,” a new mini-series on EWTN. More episodes will follow!

“Whether we interview clergy or lay people, I think people would like to know their faith journey, their testimony, what brought them to the Church. Each episode showcases a different personality,” says Miller, a former teacher who found that kids think teacher’s lives, like those of priests, end when class or Mass ends.

Says Miller: “Despite the way secular society is attacking us. there are some really positive things happening in the Church. We need people to see this is really a living Church. I want to break down any preconceptions someone might have. Such great things are happening. We really need to be shouting about it.”

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Join Father Mitch On A Journey of Faith in EWTN’s New Mini-Series ‘Polish Catholic’

Posted on February 18, 2021 by mjohnsonewtn

If you love stories of Catholic martyrs and other saints, images of beautiful Catholic cathedrals, or people meeting their long-lost relatives for the first time, then EWTN’s new mini-series, “Polish Catholic” with Fr. Mitch Pacwa is for you! (Airs the week of Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. ET on EWTN.)

Fr. Mitch invites viewers to accompany him on a personal journey of faith as he follows in the footsteps of famous and not-so-famous Catholic martyrs such as St. Andrew Boboula (“his body is incorrupt, you can see the kinds of tortures he went through”); St. Maximillian Kolbe (“whose body was burned to ashes at Auschwitz”); St. Stanislaus of Krakow (“the bishop martyred in a church by the King of Poland because he was fighting for the rights of the poor and for the Church”); St. Faustina (“we got inside her room in the convent”), and St. John Paul II (“we saw the museum that is his house”).

Chapel in the residence of the Archbishop of Krakow, where St. John Paul II lived and where he was ordained a priest.

“We went to all the places of each of these saints except for St. Andrew Boboula because he was martyred in Russia,” said Fr. Mitch. “But we filmed the episode in front of his body in the glass coffin in Warsaw.”

In addition to its martyrs, Poland is known for gorgeous Catholic cathedrals and the series doesn’t disappoint. You will go inside the incomparable Czestochowa Cathedral, aka the Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, where Father was able to celebrate Mass; and the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, where St. Faustina lived.

The square in which the late Pope John Paul II famously addressed the people of Warsaw.

However, one of the more fascinating stories revolves around St. Mary’s Church, where a trumpeter plays a hymn every hour, which ends on a broken note. “They do that because a Tatar shot the trumpeter through the throat while playing a hymn [to warn the people of an impending Mongol invasion] so they still play it like he did in his day,” says Fr. Mitch. “It’s a hymn to Our Lady.” Because of that trumpeter, the city of Krakow was saved!

Father Mitch has been to Poland numerous times, and he knew the mother’s side of his dad’s family. But he had never met the father’s side of his dad’s family. In this series, you will see Father Mitch meet these relatives for the first time!

Some of Father Mitch Pacwa’s ancestors!

“I saw the house where my dad was born. There were about five houses with Pacwas in them! That’s not a common name. The only Pacwas were my relatives.”

Father Mitch shocks his relatives (and us) by revealing that his grandfather on his dad’s side of the family emigrated to the United States to escape the police because he was a murderer!

A cemetery on the grounds on which St. Maximillian Kolbe started a friary with his all important printing presses..

“My mother was pregnant with me when he died of alcoholism so I never knew him,” Father Mitch said. “My relatives had no idea there were these problems. But they told me about my grandfather’s brothers, who had stayed in Poland. Some were killed by Germans during the war. Other members of the family survived, and there was one priest in the family who died just last year. I would have loved to have met him!”

Father Mitch also visits the village of his grandmother, about whom he knew nothing.

A gorgeous Cathedral in Krakow.

Father discovered much of this history by researching his family on ancestry.com. He even found photos of the ships on which his family came to America: His grandfather’s photo was on the register of the SS Furnessia, and his grandmother’s was on the SS Rotterdam.

Father Mitch hopes EWTN’s viewers will check out his new series: “We were able to see how much things have changed in Poland since [the fall of] Communism. This is well worth seeing!”

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