Ignacio de Loyola movie garners praise in Vatican

A private viewing of the film "Ignacio de Loyola" was held for Vatican luminaries on June 14 and director Paolo Dy said the film received a stamp of approval. 

Although populated with a mostly Spanish cast, the post-production of the film was done entirely in the Philippines.

"We had a good show. Those who watched said that our film reflected a clear idea of who St. Ignatius was," Dy said.

Among the audience were members of the Secretariat for Vatican Communications and notable Catholic media organizations based in Italy; Jesuit General, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J. and his council; the Superior General of the Saint Paul de Chartres and her council; Sisters of Sacro Costato; Dr. Claudia di Giovanni of the Vatican Secretariat for Social Communication; Abp. Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, Secretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

"I like this film so much because it gives you the meaning, the core of the life of Ignatius of Loyola," said Rev. Fr. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., of the La Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit publication based in Rome. 

"The Ignatius here is represented as a person of great spiritual dynamic, even of spiritual struggle. At the same time, it represents the interior life in action. So this movie gave me a lot and it is very well done,” he added.

Spadaro added that the youth might take interest in seeing the "spiritual life in action" as depicted in the movie.St. Ignatius or Íñigo López de Loyola was a Spanish knight who struggled with depression and guilt but eventually found vindication in his faith.

The film is a dramatic retelling of the soldier-saint’s conversion, starting with his former life as a man of vice and violence, continuing through his near-fatal injury at the Battle of Pamplona and eventual salvation.  — Aya Tantiangco/VVP, GMA News

"Ignacio de Loyola" will be released in Philippine theaters on July 27, with international screenings to follow shortly after. For more information, check out jescom.ph/ignaciomovie and facebook.com/ignaciomovie.