Movies

I am a total movie fan, although this has been more of a year for books than for movies, I did manage to see a fewthis Lent.
The first was Bella. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect; maybe a movie so blatantly Catholic that it would be off-putting to those who did not know our Faith. What a surprise! The main character prays before meals. And that's it! Other than that he just lives his faith in the decisions he makes and in trying to talk the girl into choosing life for her child. It was a fun movie and suitable for anyone. The family dynamic was so real. I would certainly recommend this to anyone.
Right after that I watched Italian Lessons. It was in a language I could not identify, Swedish or something, but I read the English subtitles. I think it has a mature rating because of some unmarried sexual situations, but I certainly cheered for  the Catholic character. Some guys were talking about her and one warned the other that because she was Catholic not to expect a sexual relationship until they were married. It was said and accepted seriously. How I wished that were the norm for those of our faith.
And the third movie was The Nun; another Swedish or something documentary about a young girl, one of eight or nine children who thought she was called to the Carmelites. The filmmaker, an atheist, filmed her with her family before she went into the convent, just before final vows, and again had permission to film her and her family a few years later. As a Third Order Carmelite I thought this movie would be interesting, especially an inside  look into a cloistered order. And it was. I especially en joyed her family life and the reactions to her decision and how they learned to live with it. She took the name Sister Mary of the Annunciation. As March 25 was that feast, it was a privilege to pray for that young lady on that day. 
I have read about the life of Jessica Powers, a cloistered Carmelite nun and poet. I found a website of her convent,It is in Wisconsin and within traveling distance. Perhaps I shall visit sthere sometime. And I know of Sr. Wendy, the art historian. I have been entertained by her many books and television programs. There is a fascination in the cloistered existence for those of us who will never witness it beyond a book or very briefly in this movie. Powers convent website had a breakdown of a Carmelite's Day within the cloister. Their prayer life is much more structured than for those of us out here in this world. And I was jealous that every Thursday was a retreat Day for the community. We Third Orders have to be disciplined on our own. It is called grace! Which reminds me, it is time for Evening Prayer.
blessings,
Nancy