The iPadre Catholic Podcast

In 1959, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released Ben-Hur at the Loew’s Stat Theatre in New York City. It was one of the great movies of it’s time, a classic. I have the DVD.

Well, Ben-Hur is not really rising from the ashes. It was a great movie, but it’s been remain and is returning in 2016.

Ben-Hur is a major Paramount Pictures/MGM motion picture hitting theaters nationwide on August 12, 2016. Bursting with action – including a new chariot race for the ages – and elevated by Christian themes of justice, liberty & radical forgiveness, it tells the classic story of Judah Ben–Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title and separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery and despair.

After years at sea, a breathtaking turn of events sends Judah on an epic journey back to his homeland to seek revenge, where a chance encounter with Jesus of Nazareth (Rodrigo Santoro) transforms his life and leads him to discover grace, mercy and ultimately, redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Also starring Morgan Freeman in an unforgettable performance.

Check out the awesome trailer below!

There is a tradition in some cultures and Religious Orders for Epiphany is to randomly choose a holy card with either a virtue, the name of a saint and a quote or a combination of the three, to accompany you for the New Year. This is a really great tradition. It helps to give one a special focus and help throughout the New Year. And we know, we can use all the help we can get. I have holy cards that I received through the years, going back to my days in the seminary. Some of the cards only list a virtue and others a saints name and even a quote. I have all the holy cards around here somewhere, but I always place the latest one in my breviary so that I have the constant reminder.

This year, my holy card read “Hope.” There was no saint or quote on my holy card. But, I ran across a really cool website called the Saints Name Generator. So, I got my saint for 2016. Her name is: St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi. I’ll write her name on my holy card and ask her to accompany me through the year with her aid and intercession. I will also make it a point to study her life and turn to her in my prayers.

If you want to get your Saint for 2016, just click here.

I will remember you and your loved ones at Mass on Christmas!

Church of the Holy Ghost – Tiverton, RI 2015