ON FAITH & MEDIA | Innocent Voices

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Innocent Voices

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Source: Catholic News Service

Gripping true-life story of an 11-year-old boy -- who together with his mother and siblings -- is caught up in the horrors of the civil war in El Salvador in the 1980s, including a subplot involving a brave priest who tries to stand up to the brutal government troops. Luis Mandoki's film -- actually shot in Mexico -- is intensely moving, though there are lighter and even humorous moments to leaven the tragedy. The performances, especially that of Carlos Padilla as the young boy, are beautifully natural, and the overall message of the effects of war on youngsters -- with its present-day resonance -- is palpable. In Spanish, subtitles. Some rough and crude language and expressions, wartime violence and bloody bodies make this best for older adolescents and adults. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

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Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions: Like Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, S.J., Cristóbal and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristóbal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-28).
<p>All of these martyrs except three were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. All of these martyrs belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the Church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders once made it a crime to receive Baptism or celebrate the Mass. </p><p>These martyrs did not die as a single group but in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.</p>

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