'John XXIII - The Pope of Peace' is a feature length production of 200 min on the life of Saint John XXIII. This production takes through the event filled life of St John XXIII who was the initiator of the Second Vatican Council, however never got to see it completion.
Having seen this movie myself, it seemed fitted when reflecting On the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church <> to put it into perspective by seeing how Christ through the life of this Vicar of Christ became a light to the nations.
I do not mean to give away the whole movie, but his life truly exhibits not just holiness, but compassion, disappointments at times, and however creative solutions. He remains faithful to the Church, but he finds ways to stay close to the people of God. There is a striking scene in this biographical production where a parish that he is assigned too is so low in resources that he awaits and awaits and awaits for help that does not see to come. Therefore, whenever the creditors were showing up he would pay with valuables of the church from furnitures to gold ornaments, chalices of the church. All he could do to keep sanctuary even if that meant to remain with little as long as he could serve the faithful he did. Here, and in many other ways, his actions echo the fact he knew the lay played a pivotal role in the body of Christ, so he served them wholeheartedly.
Although, Lumen Gentium, par. 22, emphasizes that the unity and the relations between the hierarchy of the church among clergy at different levels especially the College of Bishops, the trials he experienced at times when lacking communication with those who were in position to help and from whom he needed either approval or support, some may say that he did his own things. However, in submitting in mind and will (obsequious, par 25) to the Church, he moved with courage, thus leading to heights by the power of the Holy Spirit no one could ever imagine; the papacy.
Not only his life is worth knowing, but one never gets tired of watching again this production that can enlighten us on the heart of the man who open the doors to this Vatican II, and whose canonization I was privileged to stay up and watch.
Fanny Magnificat
