The Festival for Freedom, being held for two weeks at Notre Dame Retreat House from June 21-July 4, has received permission to premiere locally the much heralded movie “For Greater Glory!” with three screenings.  The shows will be at 10AM, 1:30PM and 4:00PM on Saturday, June 30.  Reservations are suggested as the chapel only holds about 200 people.  For reservations, contact Deacon Claude Lester at clester@dor.org

The is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be collected at each performance.  See also “Calendar” or “Events Schedule” for more information on the other events to be held at Notre Dame during the festival (which coincides with the USCCB’s call for a Fortnight for Freedom.  Theater of the Word will give three different perfomances, many noted speakers will be attending, and there will be both liturgical and patriotic events.

The following excerpts are from the May 30th Lifesite News’ article on “For Greater Glory!” by Thaddeus Baklinski: 

• A movie described by its lead actor as the epic story of the fight for religious freedom in Mexico.
• Already the film is earning enthusiastic accolades from religious leaders, who say that the film couples Hollywood-quality production and acting with a powerful story of faith and freedom that is surprisingly relevant.
• “For Greater Glory” is a movie about the true story of the Cristeros, the rebels who fought against Mexican dictator Plutarco Calles who banned religion in the country in the 1920s.
• …numerous commentators have drawn a parallel between the religious oppression of the Mexican dictatorship and the subversion of religious freedom by the U.S. government.
• Americans today are talking about the same question Mexicans were talking about in the 1920s: Can government order people to act against their faith?”
• The movie portrays the Cristero War, also know as the Cristiada, of 1926 to 1929, which was an uprising and counter-revolution set off by the bloody persecution of Roman Catholics due to the strict enforcement of anti-religious provisions in the Mexican Constitution.
• The film has been acclaimed by religious leaders and pro-family groups who are urging all those concerned about the future of religious liberty to support the movie by going to see it and encouraging others to do so.
• It is an epic true story about religious persecution which is as culturally relevant today as when the oppression occurred in 1920’s Mexico.
• This film has the potential to light a fire under those who have been sitting on the sidelines in the fight to protect religious liberty.
• “To describe this film as stirring or powerful would do it a disservice,” said Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia.  …. ”For Greater Glory is … an extraordinary portrait of ordinary people struggling to defend their convictions.”
• “It is not often that a film opens a window into the past that casts so much light on the present,” said Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmstead, Bishop of Phoenix, Ariz. “For Greater Glory depicts a courageous struggle for religious freedom that was inspired by love of Christ and love of country. The Cristeros of Mexico have much to teach us today.”

To see the trailer and find out more about the film go to:  www.ForGreaterGlory.com