Les Misérables
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Now on DVD, Rated PG-13
Run time: 158 min

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Les Misérables on Broadway. I was hooked. Every time I had the chance to visit Manhattan, I was sure to make the time to catch another performance. In all, I saw it at least five times.

It wasn’t just the sparkling performances or the incredible score, but rather it spoke to me as a brilliantly inspired parable of God’s mercy. The film version of the British musical — by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer, which is in turn based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 French novel — became a box office sensation last year. Recently released on DVD and Blu-ray, it’s now the third-highest grossing musical of all time.

If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s set in 19th-century France. When Jean Valjean (Jackman) is released from prison after serving 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread, he breaks parole to create a new life for himself, but has to evade the ruthless Inspector Javert (Crowe), who’s determined to bring him to justice.

Within the next eight years, Valjean creates a new identity and life for himself as a wealthy factory owner and the mayor of Montreuilsur- Mer.

Valjean’s transformation from ruthless convict to legitimate businessman becomes possible when a Catholic bishop extends a hand of friendship and extraordinary mercy after the parolee steals the prelate’s silver.

By God’s grace, Valjean subsequently extends a hand of mercy whenever he has the opportunity to do so. While on the run from Javert, he adopts the orphan daughter of Fantine (Hathaway), one of his workers, which sets off a cascade of events that culminates in life, death and redemption at the barricade in Paris during the French Revolution.

The deeply Christian themes throughout the film, together with the ground-breaking live-voice recording of the soundtrack, make this a must-see film for fans of Broadway musicals and for people of faith.

PATRICK NOVECOSKY is Legatus magazine’s editor-in-chief.

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Pray for Me
Robert Moynihan
Image Books, 2013
256 pages, $19.99 hardcover

Inside the Vatican magazine’s founder and editor, Robert Moynihan, delivers an enlightening introduction to Pope Francis. Readers will come to know the Holy Father well through Moynihan’s expert storytelling and his use of historical documentation and personal anecdotes from people who know Cardinal Bergoglio well.

Subtitled The Life and Spiritual Vision of Pope Francis, First Pope from the Americas, Moynihan writes that since Francis is the first Jesuit Pope — and the first from the Southern hemisphere — he bridges the Northern and Southern hemispheres and religious traditions in a way we’ve never seen before.

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Al Kresta

by Al Kresta

When there is credible evidence of an apparition, the Church engages in empirical, rational, moral, and theological investigation. From the beginning, the Church assumed responsibility for investigating unusual supernatural phenomena.

The local bishop usually has the task of investigating allegedly supernatural claims, and his is normally the last word as far as the Church is concerned. While the pope can overturn the judgment, he is unlikely to do so unless there are some extenuating circumstances.

The bishop looks at three basic areas: the content of the message; the means by which the message was transmitted, such as trances, ecstasies, voices, visions, and so on; and the character of the spiritual fruit displayed in the life of those influenced by the message.

He might assemble a commission to investigate. He may close the apparition site for a while and call in experts in moral and dogmatic theology, forensic pathology, optics, photography, medicine, abnormal psychology, chemistry — even meteorology, if weather conditions significantly played into the claims. Can this phenomenon be explained away as natural or perhaps even diabolical?

The investigators interview the seers. Is there evidence of hallucination, grandiosity, schizophrenia, or self-delusion? Inquiries regarding the character of the visionaries are made among their friends, families, acquaintances, spiritual directors, and pastors — as well as those who have attended any public sessions where supernatural manifestations allegedly occurred. Devotion, however, is no guarantee that a revelation is authentic.

The investigators gauge the moral and spiritual impact on the seers and the proponents of the apparition. They pore over any alleged messages from Christ, Mary, or the saints to see whether these messages contradict Scripture or Sacred Tradition.

It’s important to keep special supernatural manifestations in perspective. Saint John of the Cross wryly observed, “One act done in charity is more precious in God’s sight than all the visions and communications possible — since they imply neither merit nor demerit — and many who have not received these experiences are incomparably more advanced than others who have had many.” Normally, the local bishop’s disapproval buries the claim. In the case of St. Joan of Arc, however, the bishop’s decision was reversed. The apparitions at Medjugorje (since 1981) have faced strong and repeated rejection by local bishops. Other prominent theologians and churchmen, however, have disputed the bishop’s judgment. A definitive decision in this case is probably far off.

After looking at all the facts, the bishop’s commission may conclude that these particular private revelations are “probable.” Usually that’s about as much “approval” as they will give. Nobody is required to believe these apparitions. The approval of a private revelation may simply be “negative” — that is, there is nothing against faith and morals in the revelation or the phenomena emanating from it. It is “worthy of belief” and people are free to believe it.

AL KRESTA is CEO of Ave Maria Communications and host of Kresta in the Afternoon. Reprinted with permission from his book “Why Do Catholics Genuflect?” St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2001.

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Catechism 101

The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.

Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 66, 67

Francis: Pope of a New World
Andrea Tornielli
Ignatius Press, 2013
200 pages, $19.95 hardcover

Andrea Tornielli, one of the world’s most respected “Vaticanistas,” delves into the new Pope’s personality by examining the former cardinal’s words, ideas, and personal recollections — including material up to the final hours before his election. He reveals the strong, yet gentle and humble personality of this son of Italian immigrants to Argentina.

This insightful biography sheds light on the man who was a surprise — almost revolutionary —choice for pope. It’s the story of why the cardinal electors set aside political and diplomatic calculations to elect this man to lead the renewal and purification of the worldwide Church.

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Monsignor Steven J. Raica

Monsignor Steven J. Raica
Lansing Chapter

Monsignor Steven J. Raica discovered his vocation by serving the church, first as an altar boy at Mass in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, later in a campus parish at Michigan State University. In the early years of his priesthood, he learned the Mass in sign language to serve the hearing-impaired. “We must walk together in our faith journey” has been his motto, carried out as far away as Rome where he once worked as rector of Casa Santa Maria at the Pontifical North American College. Today at 60, in addition to pastoring Legatus’ fledgling Lansing Chapter, Monsignor Raica is chancellor of the Lansing diocese and co-rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Tell us about your call to the priesthood.

I guess my first inkling was probably around fifth grade when I served Mass. In high school I got more involved in church, including joining the choir, playing the organ and going to daily Mass.

My calling matured at Michigan State University, where I got involved with the campus parish and the diocesan pre-seminary program. There were a number of confirmations of my calling. Once I remember opening my pocket Bible at random to Hebrews 11 about faith being the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. That was revelatory. Perhaps the Lord was calling me not to be afraid of faith but to follow him and doors would open. So I went to the seminary after graduation and have not had one regret for having accepted the Lord’s invitation to follow him.

How did you become acquainted with Legatus?

I became familiar with Legatus over the course of the years since Bishop Emeritus Carl Mengeling would go to meetings in Ann Arbor. Current Bishop Earl Boyea asked me if I’d be willing to serve as Lansing’s chaplain. I don’t get many pastoral opportunities. This is another outreach that helps me to do my priestly duties, and so I relish walking with Legates on their journey of faith.

What impact has Legatus had on the Lansing diocese?

It’s too early to say, but it has raised interest for those who would qualify for membership to do something to engage them spiritually and build a community in which we can explore issues of faith in a setting that allows it to grow and be nurtured.

We also want to grow the chapter and become chartered. It will take current members inviting others to share what they’ve found, but it won’t work unless it’s founded on Christ. Members must consider themselves ambassadors not of themselves but of Christ.

You have a vocation, of course. Any avocations?

Music. When I was in high school I was the parish organist. I still sneak up into the cathedral’s choir loft every now and then to play some of the old repertoire.

Playing those pieces brings back memories, but also somehow honors the Lord. It also serves my own edification because it’s engaging in beauty in a way that only music can do.

And you’re a big reader, too. Any recommendations?

I’ve developed a great appreciation for the writings of Monsignor Luigi Giussani, founder of Communion and Liberation, a mostly lay movement that began in Italy. I meet regularly with people in this area who are interested in following its charism. It’s based on the encounter with Christ that one has by the very fact that Christ took on our flesh and became one of us to show us the way back to God.

Benedict XVI has been deeply influenced by his writings, and now Pope Francis. Giussani has given a quite amazing subtext to the narrative of the modern papacy. And his writings and movement have helped many people around the world understand how they can witness for Christ in a most astonishing way.

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Pope Francis
Matthew E Bunson
Our Sunday Visitor, 2013
224 pages, $16.95 paperback

Since Pope Francis’ March 13 election, several biographies have hit the shelves. Matthew Bunson, one of America’s leading authorities on the papacy and the Church, introduces us to the new Pope by plunging deep into the life of the former Argentinean cardinal.

Bunson reveals how the Pope lived out his priestly ministry prior to the papal election. Pope Francis is still new to us, but Bunson introduces us to the “street priest” with a deep love for people and a pastor’s touch.

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As always, we value your feedback. You can reach me at editor@legatus.org. I look forward to it!

~Patrick Novecosky, Editor-In-Chief
Legatus magazine