The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are producing a feature length dramatic film on the life of Blessed John Duns Scotus, the Franciscan who gave the theological explanation for the Immaculate Conception. The film is called “Duns Scoto”, Italian for Duns Scotus, and is written and directed by Fernando Muraca based on the book by Fr. Stefano Maria Manelli, “Beato Giovanni Duns Scoto” published by the FIs in Italy. Adriano Braidotti plays Blessed John Duns Scotus and is supported by Raffaele Proietti, Sebastiano Colla, Alessandro Chini, Camilla Diana and Emanuele Maria Gamboni in the role of young Duns Scotus along with many others including not a few Franciscans of the Immaculate.

The only thing left to finish on the film is the sound track for which they are currently in negotiations. The film is due to premiere in May 2010 on DVD and in some theaters as was done with the highly successful pro-life film “Bella” and negotiations are underway for putting it on Italian TV and entering it in film festivals. It will be in Italian, but there may be an English version.  We will be posting the trailer on AirMaria when it becomes available toward the end of April. So practice your Italian and stay tuned.

On the site of the filming with camera dolly on tracks, microphone boom, and high definition cameras. The high tech equipment makes a sharp contrast with the medieval monastery and period costumes. The director of photography was Massimo Lupi, famous for his creative cinematography in the Italian TV series Il Commissario Rex (Inspector Rex) about the adventures of Rex the police dog.

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The Abbey at Montelabate in Perugia where parts of the movie was filmed. Other locations were a nearby estate and also on the coast near Anconia.

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Adriano Braidotti as John Duns Scotus who is here praying for guidance from Mary as he is about to defend her prerogative of being immaculately conceived.  There are two goals of the film. One is to spread knowledge about Duns Scotus in view of his canonization, and then eventually to him being declared a Doctor of of the Church. The other is to help Christianize our important mass media culture that has sadly become so secular and even dehumanized.

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Padre Alfonso Bruno, head of FI media, is in the center with the clapper board and is Director of Production for the film. To the right is Fra Pasquale, FI who is playing a Dominican and Fra Ivo, FI on the left looks like he’s playing a Cistercian Monk.

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Emanuele Maria Gamboni as young John Duns Scotus. His early life is covered in a flashback after the opening scene when Scotus is exiled from the Sorbonne in Paris after he refused to sign a bill by Phillip the Fair, King of France, against Pope Boniface VIII.

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Lights, … Camera, … Action!

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Well, not much action in this scene, but it is very beautiful with professional lighting.

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Some rather scruffy looking friars. Fra Giles, FI is second from the left.

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The final scene of the movie is the rejoicing after Blessed John Duns Scotus successfully defends the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception at the Sorbonne in Paris. The victory is recognized by papal legates who attended the theological disputes. The large cast and colorful costumes make for a truly grand finale. There seems to be a tint of blue in many of the Franciscan’s habits. I wonder why…

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Preparing the camera and dolly.

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Working into the night hours. There’s no business like show business.

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Camilla Diana who plays the role of a young, pius girl named Mary who with Luis (Sebastiano Colla), a student at the Sorbonne, provide a means to control the plot and relate it to every day human life and drama.

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Director Fernando Muraca on the set.

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Alessandro Chini plays the young William of Occam who expresses his doubts and heterodox ideas to Scotus who then lovingly but promptly corrects him.

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Sebastiano Colla getting ready for his role as Luis.

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Angelo Poretti and Monica Sarracchini where in charge of the costumes.

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The large collection of costumes looks like a story in itself. Throughout the film as many as one hundred extras were used. Note the big wine barrels behind the racks from the monks wine making business.

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Fr. Alfonso reviewing some footage.

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It looks like an exciting and grand project. Certainly the Italian friars are learning quite a bit about film production and is a great addition to their extensive media efforts which include printing, radio, internet and TV. Hopefully this film will be a success both in regard to promoting the Christian faith and in regard to having enough financial success to at least be able to do another film like this. Please keep this in your prayers.

Ave Maria!

Marycast #126 ( 10min) Play – On March 25th, 2010, Feast of the Annunciation, a Day of Dialogue will be held in Rome on the timeliness of a papal declaration of the 5th Marian Dogma, Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate. The event will be sponsored and moderated by the Vatican Forum of Inside the Vatican magazine and and St. Thomas More College.  It will include discussions from an international group of several major Marian theologians, bishops and cardinals.

Dr. Miravalle addresses the many reasons why it is an appropriate time to proclaim the dogma and addresses  some objections. He also asks us to pray for the success of this historic event.

ZENIT – Is the Time Ripe for a 5th Marian Dogma?.

To ask questions regarding Mary, email Dr Mark Miravalle: marycast@airmaria.com

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Ave Maria! Looks like things are starting to move on the 5th Marian Dogma front. On March 25th, Feast of the Annunciation the 5th Marian Dogma, (Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate) will be the discussion at the Vatican Forum in Rome sponsored by Inside the Vatican Magazine and St. Thomas More College. Robert Moynihan of Inside the Vatican wrote the article that is linked above which announces the event along with an excellent write up the status and timeliness of proclaiming the Dogma. Excerpt:

Panelists for the March 25 Day of Dialogue will include Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Philippines, president of the Marian-Mariological Society of the Philippines, Carmelite Father Enrique Llamas, president of the Mariological Society of Spain. Also presenting will be Dr. Judith Gentle, Anglican theologian, author, and member of Our Lady of Walsingham Mariological Society from the United Kingdom.

The morning session will constitute brief presentations by panelists discussing the issue of appropriateness of a fifth Marian dogma at this time, while the afternoon session will consist of a dialogue by panelists, press, and audience concerning the topic.

The Pontifical Marian Academy was invited to participate in the dialogue, but later notified Inside the Vatican magazine that members of the Academy would not be participating. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Via Borgo Pio, #141.

Deo gratias!

Homily #100227 ( 03min) Play -  Fr. Bonaventure preaches on the need to pray constantly for others especially to ask that Mary, Mother of Christians, intercede for those who are enemies of the Church.
Ave Maria! Mass readings
1: Deut 26:16-19
R: Ps 119:1-2,4-5,7-8
G: Mt 5:43-48

Audio (MP3)

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Marycast #122 ( 10min) Play – “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Dr. Mark Miravalle explains how these words which Our Lady spoke in her apparition at Lourdes, France in 1854 are relevant to our life today especially in dealing with suffering.

To ask questions regarding Mary, email Dr Mark Miravalle: marycast@airmaria.com

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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The Hail Mary and Hail Holy Queen recited with beautiful visuals.

from the CD titled RIVER OF GRACE (World Library Publications). This beautiful prayer video is sure to bring peace to a hurting heart.

Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus, but our Mother too, being the Mother of the mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Homily #100213 ( 08min) Play – Fr Angelo preaches on the Gospel for the Memorial of Our Lady on a Saturday. Our Lady and St Joseph seek our Lord for three days before finding him in the Temple, but all the while they new the questions that they had in their hearts would be answered. We too need patience in this regard.
Ave Maria! Mass readings Luk 2:43-52

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #100211 ( 10min) Play – On this feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Fr. Angelo makes the connection between the Annunciation where an angel appeared to Mary and the Apparition at Lourdes when Our Lady appears to St. Bernadette. Our Lady tells  Bernadette she is the Immaculate Conception which is just another way of saying what St Gabriel said to Mary, “Hail, Full of Grace”
Ave Maria! Apparition of Mary at Lourdes – Mass: EF, Vidi Civitatem Sanctam – Readings: 1st: rev 11:19-12:1, 10 – Gsp: luk 1:26-31

Audio (MP3)

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