The Bells of St. Mary's

1945 ยท Comedy-drama

Recommended. Age: 8+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.

Our review

This is Catholic life as a warm home: a priest and a nun who disagree about method and agree about God. Sister Benedict's prayer to have bitterness removed from her heart is the spiritual center, and the film trusts that prayer actually works. The one honest reservation is that the faith stays mostly cultural; the sacraments are offstage and the mood is sweeter than it is deep.

For parents

Safe for the whole family. Ask your kids why Sister Benedict is not told the truth about her illness, and whether a kind omission is the same as a lie (CCC 2483). Ask what changed Mr. Bogardus: the sermon, or the silent visit to the church?

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