Fr. Mike Schmitz Reviews "Cabrini" Movie
TLDRFather Mike Schmitz reflects on the film 'Cabrini,' a biopic about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, highlighting her mission to serve Italian immigrants in the United States. The movie emphasizes the importance of treating the underserved with dignity, offering them the best, not just the leftovers. Schmitz is moved by the depiction of the immigrant experience and the role of the Church in shaping America's moral fabric. However, he feels the film could have better showcased Mother Cabrini's faith and reliance on God's grace, rather than her individual drive. Despite this, he recommends the film for its powerful storytelling and emotional impact.
Takeaways
- 🎬 The movie 'Cabrini' is a biographical film that tells the story of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, highlighting her journey from Italy to the United States to serve the Italian immigrant population.
- 🛂 Mother Cabrini's mission was to uplift the underserved, focusing on the establishment of an orphanage and the importance of treating children with dignity, regardless of their social status.
- 💼 A pivotal scene in the movie emphasizes the choice between cheaper and more expensive fabric for children's uniforms, with Mother Cabrini opting for the latter to convey the message that the children matter and deserve respect.
- 🏛 The film portrays the broader impact of the Catholic Church and families on the civilization and development of America, particularly through the establishment of orphanages, hospitals, and schools.
- 👨👩👧👦 It underscores the importance of remembering one's roots and the struggles faced by immigrants, urging the second and third generations not to forget the hardships their ancestors endured.
- 🤝 The movie serves as a reminder of the responsibility to look out for those who are less fortunate and to ensure that everyone has a place at the table, reflecting the core values of Catholicism.
- 🙏 Father Mike Schmitz, the speaker, expresses a desire for more emphasis on the role of God and the spiritual aspect of Mother Cabrini's life, suggesting that her accomplishments were a result of divine grace rather than her own strength.
- 😢 Despite not having a dramatic climax, the movie deeply moved Father Mike, who found himself weeping throughout much of the film, attributing this emotional response to the power and beauty of Mother Cabrini's life story.
- 🌟 'Cabrini' is not just a church movie but a mainstream film that tells the story of a Catholic saint, making it accessible and relatable to a wider audience.
- 👀 The speaker encourages viewers to watch the movie with an open heart, allowing the Lord to speak to them and potentially touch them emotionally, as it did with him.
- 📣 Father Mike concludes by giving the movie a thumbs up, endorsing its message and the impact it had on him, and hopes it will resonate with others as well.
Q & A
What is the movie 'Cabrini' about?
-The movie 'Cabrini' is a historical biopic that tells the story of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who leaves Italy to serve the underserved Italian immigrant population in the United States, particularly in Manhattan.
What was the significant decision made by Mother Cabrini regarding the orphanage uniforms?
-Mother Cabrini chose to use more expensive fabric for the orphanage uniforms to show the children that they matter and are deserving of dignity and respect.
What message does Father Mike Schmitz find particularly powerful in the movie?
-Father Mike Schmitz finds the message of treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances, to be particularly powerful. This includes serving the poor and underprivileged with the best that can be afforded.
What role did Mother Cabrini play in the development of the United States?
-Mother Cabrini played a significant role in the development of the United States by bringing orphanages, hospitals, and schools to care for those who were not cared for, contributing to the civilization of the country.
What was the purpose of Mother Cabrini's reminder to the second or third generation of immigrants?
-Mother Cabrini reminded the second or third generation of immigrants to remember their roots and the struggles their parents and grandparents faced when they first arrived, urging them not to forget those who are still marginalized and in need.
What is the criticism Father Mike Schmitz has about the movie 'Cabrini'?
-Father Mike Schmitz's criticism is that the movie should emphasize more the presence and action of God in Mother Cabrini's life, as her accomplishments were not solely due to her own strength but also because of divine grace.
How does Father Mike Schmitz describe his emotional experience while watching the movie?
-Father Mike Schmitz describes an emotional experience of weeping throughout most of the movie, even though there was no massive conflict or resolution that typically triggers such a response.
What does Father Mike Schmitz suggest as a way to enhance the movie's portrayal of Mother Cabrini?
-Father Mike Schmitz suggests that the movie could have emphasized the presence of Christ and the reality of the Holy Spirit, as well as Mother Cabrini's reliance on them, to show her deep trust in God.
What is the main theme or message that Father Mike Schmitz believes the movie 'Cabrini' conveys?
-The main theme or message conveyed by the movie 'Cabrini' is the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect, and the power of serving others with the best we can offer, reflecting the core values of Catholicism.
What advice does Father Mike Schmitz give to the viewers of the movie?
-Father Mike Schmitz advises viewers to allow the Lord to speak to their hearts and to be open to the emotional impact the movie might have on them, as it did on him.
Outlines
🎬 Inspiring Service in 'Cabrini'
Father Mike Schmitz reflects on the movie 'Cabrini,' a biopic about St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, who left Italy to serve the underprivileged Italian immigrants in the United States. The film highlights her decision to provide the best for the orphans, emphasizing their inherent dignity and worth. It also touches on the broader themes of immigration, the role of the Church in American civilization, and the importance of remembering and serving those who are still marginalized. Father Mike critiques the film for not emphasizing Mother Cabrini's reliance on God's grace, suggesting that her accomplishments are portrayed as self-driven rather than divinely inspired.
😭 Emotional Impact of 'Cabrini'
In the second paragraph, Father Mike Schmitz shares his personal experience of watching 'Cabrini,' describing an unexpected emotional response that led him to cry throughout much of the film. He attributes this to the power and beauty of the story of St. Cabrini, who he considers a sister and mother figure in the Catholic faith. Despite the absence of dramatic conflict or resolution typical of mainstream films, the narrative's authenticity and the portrayal of St. Cabrini's life deeply affected him. He encourages viewers to watch the movie with an open heart, hoping that it will similarly touch them and allow the Lord to speak to them.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hesitation
💡Biopic
💡Underserved
💡Dignity
💡Catholic
💡Immigrant
💡Civilized
💡Established
💡Grace of God
💡Reliant
💡Mainstream Film
Highlights
Father Mike Schmitz expresses hesitation about the quality of church movies.
Movie 'Cabrini' is a historical biopic about St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.
Cabrini's mission was to serve the underserved Italian immigrant population in Manhattan.
Italians were the most recent wave of immigrants and faced significant challenges.
Cabrini's first initiative was starting an orphanage for the children.
A decision to use more expensive fabric for children's uniforms to convey their worth.
The core Catholic value of treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Cabrini's dedication to giving the best to every person, including the underprivileged.
The historical context of immigrants' struggles to assimilate and find their place in America.
Cabrini's role in bringing civilization through families and the church to the United States.
The importance of remembering the struggles of previous generations of immigrants.
Cabrini's message to the next generations to not forget the less fortunate.
The movie's portrayal of Cabrini as a forceful, driven individual.
The critique that the movie lacks emphasis on the role of God in Cabrini's life.
Father Mike's personal emotional response to the movie, including weeping during viewing.
The movie's potential to touch viewers' hearts and allow the Lord to speak to them.
A recommendation to watch 'Cabrini' and be open to spiritual insights.
Transcripts
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