As former Chicago radio star Kevin Matthews says, "We are all broken but we are loved by God" -- a message he's put out in Broken Mary, both in books and a film (now available to stream at home).
The Man and the Statue
In the '90s and early 2000s, Matthews forged a career in the Windy City as one of the most entertaining, most listened-to, and most outrageous, voices on air. His success came with a good amount of excess and self-orchestrated suffering (mostly through heavy drinking).
Upon discovering a discarded broken statue of Mary and painstakingly repairing it, he began piecing together his long-neglected spiritual life.
On Oct. 7, the documentary version of his story, called Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story, hit theaters for a one-night showing. Now, it's available to stream at home on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Amazon, and Credo+.
Telling the Story of Broken Mary in Print
But, before there was a movie, there were books.
In his first memoir, entitled Broken Mary: A Journey of Hope, we receive more of an insight into Matthews' childhood.
One of Matthews' grandfathers was Native American, specifically Iroquois. So, one of the more indelible impressions he took from a childhood vacation was seeing a poor Native girl about his age playing in the dirt, as his father drove the family car back to Michigan.
Matthews' interactions with Native American spirituality gave him an appreciation for the sacred — key to his reversion back to his Catholic faith.
Hitting the Road With Our Lady
As the title suggests, the second memoir, Mary’s Roadie: My Travels as Mary the Mother of Jesus, functions more as a travelogue.
Matthews explores the spirituality of a couple of Marian shrines. He talks about his trip to Lourdes, France, and reminds the more budget-minded pilgrims that Lourdes -- albeit on a smaller scale -- can be experienced with a trip to the Grotto at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
The author also revisits a formative trip to Fatima, Portugal, after which he spoke to various parishes across the Midwest. The Marian visits most helped him in integrating his multiple-sclerosis diagnosis into continuing to live a productive lifestyle.
Matthews has also become an enthusiastic proponent of praying the Rosary -- the life of Christ seen through Mary's eyes.
What About the Future?
I anticipate there might be a third memoir in the offering: the stories of those affected by Kevin Matthews’ story.
Some in the various audiences have heard of Matthews' conversion, reflected upon their relationship with Mother Mary, and grown closer to God as a result. The tail end of the documentary records a couple of these testimonies, and the reader discovers other stories in the third act of Mary’s Roadie as well.
Matthews' story has even impacted my own … I’ve gone back to praying the Rosary as a daily religious practice.
Images: Family Theater Productions (top)/Embedded: Wellspring
Click here to visit Father Vince Kuna’s IMDB page.
'David': Angel's Animated Musical Seeks to Slay Giant Box Office
'Hospitality in Action: Serving With Heart' ... and Biscuits
Keep up with Family Theater Productions on our website, Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.