The Argentinian film, “Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story,” will be shown in the Philippines Sept. 30.

Also known in other territories as “Francis: Pray For Me,” the film is based on the book “Pope Francis: Life and Revolution” by Elisabetta Piqué, a close friend of His Holiness and a correspondent in Italy and the Vatican for La Nación, Argentina’s main newspaper, since 1999.

Piqué’s book has been hailed in Argentina as the most complete and up-to-date portrait of the pope.

The film takes us far back in Buenos Aires when, as a teenager, Jorge Mario Bergoglio quietly discovers his religious calling. Little does he know that this will be the the first step that will eventually lead him to the Vatican.

The film then takes on the perspective of young Spanish journalist Ana (Silvia Abascal) who met Jorge (Dario Grandinetti) at the papal conclave of 2005. It is here that they start a friendship that would be imbued with the same warmth, good mood and wisdom with which the future Pope will astonish both believers and non-believers.

It is through Ana’s eyes that the audience follows the long, hard and touching story of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Father Jorge, as he has always wished to be called, uses his position as the archbishop of Buenos Aires to challenge the corruption and abuse of the military dictatorship.

Ana is there as Father Jorge gives voice to the victims of prostitution, slavery and drug trafficking.

Full circle

Their story comes full circle at the conclave of 2013 when a Jesuit priest coming from South America is elected on the fifth ballot as pope. The son of humble Italian immigrants, he chooses Francis as his papal name partly in honor of his grandmother for she impressed upon him the biblical values of Saint Francis when he was a young boy.

To be released by Pioneer Films, “Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story” is directed by Beda Docampo Feijoó who won best screenplay in the Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards for “El Marido Perfecto” in 1993.

Grandinetti, who stars as Pope Francis, is best-known for his role in Pedro Almodovar’s “Talk to Her” and was best actor in the 2012 International Emmy Award. Abascal, as Ana, was best actress in the Toulouse Cinespana and Malaga Spanish Film Festivals.

Prayer for El Niño

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has urged Catholics to offer prayers to stave off El Nino, the climate phenomenon that leads to prolonged drought and poses a risk to agriculture and safety.

Tagle has asked a special prayer be inserted in the prayers of the faithful during daily and Sunday Masses:
“Lord, stay the hand of El Niño so that the drought it brings would not come and we will not have damage to our lands and crops and shortage in our power supply, we pray…

“Lord, forgive us our many ecological sins that have brought so much anguish to Mother Earth, give us the grace to be wise and conscientious stewards of your creation, so that all may be given life and spirit, we pray…

Cardinal Tagle likewise has issued the following “Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam” to be prayed kneeling down after Communion before the post-Communion Prayer starting Sept. 6:

“God our loving Father, Maker of all Creation, look kindly on us Your Children in this Earth You have given us as our home, as we plead You to shorten the life of El Niño now threatening our country with prolonged drought, extreme weather, and low water supply.

“O merciful God, forgive us our ecological sins that have contributed to this adverse phenomenon;

“Forgive our indifference to the groans and suffering of Mother Earth;

“Forgive us our wastefulness, our disregard for the value of the gifts of creation You have given us.

“We promise to repent for our sins by following the Gospel of Creation and by caring for and being mindful of your Creation in all that we do.

“Give us the strength and wisdom to be good stewards of your creation and to protect the environment from abuse and exploitation.

“At this time of impending crisis, move us, dear Lord, to share more, serve more and love more.

“Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers, we bring up to you through her and grant us our petitions through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

“Saint Michael and the Archangels, pray for us.

“Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us.

“Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.

“Saint Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.”

La Salette

The Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette, which took place on Sept. 19, 1846, will celebrate next year its 170th anniversary, according to Fr. Ronaldo N. Guzman, MS, director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Silang, Cavite.

The Cavite shrine will formally open the one-year celebration on Sept. 19, with a High Mass to be presided by Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.

“Everyone is invited,” said Father Guzman.

“We would like to ask the devotees of Our Lady of La Salette to write a letter or e-mail us with their picture if ever they received a favor or favors such as: healing, passing in the board exams, pregnancy, work abroad, etc. through the intercession of Our Lady of La Salette.”

Letters may be sent to : Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Biga II, Silang, Cavite; or through e-mail [email protected].

E-mail announcements to lzulueta@ inquirer.com.ph or noelmogate11@gmail. com