Xavier Missionary & Saint
Warm and informative hour-long biography of the saint often regarded as the most effective Christian missionary since the Apostle Paul. Born into the nobility of the small kingdom of Navarre (now mostly in Spain) in 1506, 19-year-old Francis Xavier traveled to Paris to study for the priesthood. As the film makes clear, his interest in becoming a priest at this time had more to do with ambition and the desire to live comfortably than with serious vocation, and his early life in what was then Europe s largest city was dissolute if not scandalous. Francis, however, gradually came under the influence of his pious roommate, Peter Faber, and their guest, the Basque-warrior-turned-holy-man, Ignatius Loyola. Together with four other Companions of Jesus, they formed the Jesuit order in 1534. Ironically, Francis original duties kept him deskbound, and it was only because of the illness of another Jesuit that he was allowed to go on mission to India. There he catechized and baptized hundreds, perhaps thousands, of native converts before moving on to Malaya and Japan. His dream of bringing the Gospel to China was never realized and, at the time of his death in 1552, he probably considered himself a failure. Narrated by Liam Neeson, Jesuit novice Jeremy Zipple s film, shot on location through Europe and Asia, features interviews with academics and relevant 16th Century artwork. Features on the widescreen DVD include a brief making of featurette and an interview with Jesuit theologian Avery Cardinal Dulles. --Catholic Film & Broadcasting OfficeNarrated by Liam Neeson, Xavier: Missionary & Saint, produced by the Jesuits, is an earnest, handsome-looking effort, visiting key locales from Xavier s life (including Rome, Spain, Paris, and China) and making solid use of artwork, interviews with scholars and students, and modest dramatic recreations. At the same time, this film commemorating the 500th anniversary of Xavier s birth has a reverential tone that makes it seem more a work of hagiography than of history. DVD extras include a making-of featurette, and a brief interview with theologian Avery Cardinal Dulles, himself a Jesuit. Recommended, overall. --Video LibrarianLushly filmed vistas give a sense of place, as do the filmed exterior and interior of buildings. The visuals are top-notch, and are supplemented with maps, illustrations, paintings, and sculpture depicting Xavier and the places he lived. Actor Liam Neeson narrates the film, which also includes actors reenacting key scenes in Xavier s life. Scholars as talking heads provide needed historical information. Visuals, sound, and editing are all excellent. Produced by Jesuits, the entire film has a very professional feel. This DVD would be of interest to anyone who enjoys history, especially the history of the Catholic Church and the Age of Exploration. Catholic high schools and colleges should consider purchase, as well as other public or academic libraries where there may be demand. Recommended. --Educational Media Reviews Online