Father Randy Mattox serves up Bible commentary for the Great American Community app, and co-hosts Zoom chats for the Great American Book Club. Both are part of the Great American Media group of channels, which also includes Great American Family and Great American Pure Flix. He is also pastor at St. Anna's Catholic Church in Monroe, Georgia. ...
Stories of the saints have always fascinated me, both for the heroic virtue displayed as well as the spiritual intimacy they share with God. As I result, I enjoy well-made movies about these stories, which cannot help but inspire us all in our journey to God.
It was hard to pick just five films, as there are many others that have struck me through the years, but here are some of the ones that have touched me the most.
Cabrini (Streaming on the Angel App, available for digital rental/purchase on Amazon Prime, Apple TV & more)
This 2024 film tells the story of Sister Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant to the United States who comes to help the poor and orphaned ... and becomes known as Mother Cabrini.
In spite of much resistance, and personal ill health, her faith and strength of character shine forth in her work to build a hospital to care for the poor.
While weak on the portrayal of her deep spiritual life, which undoubtedly fueled her tenacity and resilience, the film credibly tells the story of America’s first saint in a way which can only be seen as inspirational.
A Man for All Seasons (Available for digital rental/purchase on Amazon Prime, Apple TV & more)
An icon of classic movies on the lives of saints, this film from 1966 about the life of St. Thomas More shows the power of the integrity of faith over the willfulness of worldly power.
As More refused both to support the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage to his Spanish wife, Catherine of Aragon, and to take an oath stating Henry to be head of the Church of England, he consequentially faced his own martyrdom.
Losing everything, including his own life, to stay faithful to the God he served, is a powerful witness for all of us. As a convert from the Episcopalian tradition myself, this story has particular meaning for me.
The Song of Bernadette (Available for digital rental/purchase on Amazon Prime, Apple TV & more)
This well-known tale from 1943 tells the story of St. Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl in Lourdes, France, in 1858, who had visions of the Blessed Mother.
It is likely the most famous movie of the Lourdes phenomenon, and its lead actress, Jennifer Jones, won an Oscar for her portrayal of the young and poor Bernadette.
Her story is compelling in that it shows that simple faith can open the door to incredible graces that the Lord offers. The Blessed Mother was able to speak to her for the sake of the world, due to her humble trust.
Click here to watch the whole thing on YouTube.
Becket (Streaming on Peacock, Tubi, the Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video and more; also available for digital rental/purchase on AppleTV)
A classic film from 1964 about a courageous friend who, though being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, stays true to his faith and resists allowing his office to be a tool of the state.
His fidelity to God costs him his life, and yet inspires us all to rise above the risks of putting God above all else.
This powerful film won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated in numerous other categories, such as Best Actor for both Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. The story of Thomas Becket has always had special meaning for me, as my birthday falls on his feast day.
Click here to watch the whole thing on YouTube.
Therese (Free on Tubi, Xumo Play, Plex & the Roku Channel; also available for digital rental/purchase)
A sweet story of a sweet saint. The story of St Therese of Lisieux has touched and inspired souls for ages, and this film from 2004 gently presents her heartwarming simplicity and childlike dependence on God, whom she loved so much.
Her “little way” helps us see the accessibility of holiness, which is worked in us as we trust our lives completely to God. The movie is true in style to Therese and her deep love of her Lord, and inspires us to emulate her simple faith.
These are but a few of the films that seek to faithfully tell the stories of the true heroes of our faith, and I am sure many more will follow in the years to come.
Helping us to know these servants of Jesus better is a great service such films offer, and I find it a pleasure to support such a noble cause in media.
Image: Cabrini/Angel Studios
Father Randy Mattox is the pastor at St. Anna's Catholic Church in Monroe, Georgia. He also does Bible commentary for the Great American Community app, and co-hosts Zoom chats for the Great American Book Club. Both are part of the Great American Media group of channels, which also includes Great American Family, Great American Faith & Living, and Great American Pure Flix.
You can learn more about Father Randy here.
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