The interior and exterior battle: a review of There Be Dragons

By Laurence G.

May 7, 2011

I don’t watch many films in the theatres. One reason is the expense; another reason is, well, it’s mostly the expense. The last few films I have seen were rather emotional. This film was no exception. I think taking a step back, most folks who watch this film will be inspired by the heroic virtues of the protagonist, Josemaria Escriva and the, arguably heroic and unexpected decisions made by the antagonist Manolo. What had a significant impact on me, beyond perhaps what the film would naturally elicit, is the fact that this film depicts, perhaps a little bit of truth and a little bit of fantasy, of the life of the founder of the international group Opus Dei (The Work of God), St. Josemaria Escriva. Having been introduced many years ago as an undergraduate to the spirituality and life philosophy of the teachings of Josemaria Escriva, as well as having read his writings, and accounts of the early days of The Work, it was a delightful treat to see some of these characters come to life on the screen, including Pedro. It was also a delight to hear some of Josemaria’s most profound teachings being taught and demonstrated in the most ordinary and appropriate of circumstances. It is how I would have imagined the contexts of these everyday words of practical, theological, and moral wisdom.

Some poster’s have the tagline that “Even Saints Have A Past”, and I found it a wonderful contrast to perhaps other depictions of more popular or well-known Saints, that before Josemaria was a Saint, he was a man, and so he had many of the same weaknesses and tendencies that most of us have. Take one scene for example, where a beautiful young lady sits next to him for confession, in public, when it was dangerous to do so. She offers him a place to stay, but he compliments her on her beauty, but says, “I am a priest, but I am also a man.” Would that even single unmarried laymen had the courage to see the dangers in such a close proximity to temptation. When he was being taunted in seminary, he chased after Manolo and threw the first punch. Indeed, it was Josemaria who drew blood. Whether these instances actually happened is irrelevant, but it not out of the question to imagine events taking place in such a way. But as the plot progressed, he became increasingly more virtuous and had powerful life lessons for his children in The Work in the midst of their anger and excitement. Josemaria demonstrated a mixture of abandonment to divine providence and at times a hint of spiritual desolation as the will of God had not yet been made manifest as a result of his pleas for His intervention. He showed humility to the unfolding events in God’s plan, and courage to face the challenges head-on, and even the greater humility required to know when it is time to pull back or retreat.

One of my favorite scenes is when Josemaria was at the bedside of a dying man, an old teacher of his at a factory. He was vested to administer Extreme Unction, nowadays called the Anointing of the Sick, and it was discovered that he was Jewish. Josemaria did not force a conversion on the man; he simply acquiesced to the request of the dying man to be with him in his last hour. As he prayed his prayers in Hebrew, Josemaria prayed prayers from Holy Scripture and the Our Father. This scene was incredibly moving for me.

The scenes that depicted the inception of the idea that was to become Opus Dei was very inspiring as well. There is an attitude in certain Catholic circles, which is perhaps more true today than it was back then, to flee from the world, as if it were the Devil himself. And so sanctity is sought within the walls of churches, monasteries, and convents, away from the defilements of the world. Well, perhaps that is the calling for some, but for Josemaria, he saw that holiness was not a special calling for the few, who took vows and wore habits and clericals. Everyone is called to be a Saint, no exceptions, and they can do it wherever they are. Married people, single people, priests, and religious are all called to be Saints. The world needs to be engaged, and infused with the Gospel, and not necessarily despised. It was an amusing contrast, between the enthused Josemaria and the bishop with whom he sought approval. The bishop asked Josemaria, “doesn’t it seem a bit Protestant?”. Josemaria’s facial expression was priceless.

One other important lesson in the film which permeates the writings and teaching of Josemaria Escriva is that of personal responsibility and human freedom. God gave us a brain, and an intellect. We must use it! He would do this often in the film, with the other members of The Work bickering over some political issue, and Josemaria would take slices of each position, and challenge the other to recognize it is an undeniable truth and so challenge them further to synthesize both truths as the solution. I especially loved this lesson, as that is what the title of my blog is about, Virtus Stat in Medio. Virtue is in the middle of two extremes.

The last lesson, which I should have mentioned first as it is the most important, is love. One scene which was very impressive for me was right after a priest was executed. All were frustrated, sad, and angry at first. But as some were justifying retaliation for such a crime, Josemaria challenged them to ask themselves how different that would make them from the murderers, if they are motivated by the same thirst for blood as the murderers were. We must pray, do penance, mortify our bodies, first for the victim-priest, but also the murderers themselves, of all people. After all, they are victims as well if you really think about it.

It was a blessing to have had the privilege to watch such a film. It has rejuvenated a sense of resolve in me, where I have become rather unmotivated and despairing as of late. There is much work to be done in this world, in every facet of society. If the Christians flee from engagement of the world, how could we ever claim we are fulfilling the command of our Lord Jesus, to go therefore and make disciples of all nations, a light to the nations, not hidden, but in plain sight?

Each one of us is granted, by the grace of God, the capacity and potential to be Saints or to remain Sinners. Often times there is a little bad in the best of us, and a little good in the worst of us. This, I believe is part of the human condition, an internal and external battle always. An internal one with regard to faith and doubt, confidence and desolation. An external one with regard to our actions as ambassadors of Christ and how we treat others, between practicing virtue and practicing vice. Wherever we are, no matter how holy we are, we can always improve, we can always become better versions of ourselves. In spite of the dragons that exist in each one of us, we too can be Saints.

Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love.

With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart.

~ Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #1