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FRI-SAT-SUN March 17-19, 2000 vol. 11, no. 55 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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WORLDWIDE NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant:
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Today Michael Vincent Boyer, a well-respected Catholic insider expert on what's happening in the entertainment industry, brings the reader the story of someone who is considered a pot o' gold in Hollywood: Movie superstar Mel Gibson. But this Irish-descendant-raised-in-Australia film star's worth is just as valued in real life with his family as Michael illustrates for Mel's heart is brave and true in devotion to family values and his Catholic Faith. For his column, Mel Gibson's greatest ensemble is his family preserved by his strong Catholic values , see HOW HOLY WOULD HELP HOLLYWOOD
Mel Columcille Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York on January 3, 1956.
His father was a brakeman for the New York Central Railroad who, being a conscientious Catholic and against killing of any kind, moved his wife and eleven children to Sydney, Australia when Gibson was twelve primarily to save his sons from being drafted and being forced to kill. Shortly after arriving down under, young Mel was confirmed, taking the confirmation name Gerard. It was in Sydney that he graduated from Catholic High School with an interest in becoming a chef and later a journalist. However, his sister saw another potential for brother Mel and enrolled him at the National Institute for Dramatic Art at the University of New South Wales. After graduating, Gibson joined the State Theatre Company of South Australia where he fine-tuned his acting by appearing in a number of classical and contemporary productions.
It was there that famous Australian director George Miller discovered him after seeing him in his first feature film "Summer City", an Australian surfing movie and then as a handsome, retarded young man in another Australian flick "Tim." He earned a best actor award and the Australian "Sammy" for his performance in the latter film. The magnetism Mel exuded on the silver screen convinced Miller to cast him for the lead in his cult-classic post-apocalyptic action movie "Mad Max." The 1980 movie became the highest-grossing Australian movie in history. The film's success led to the even more popular sequel "Road Warrior," which was released in the U.S. in 1982 and sealed his fame as a rugged, handsome actor who fought the forces of evil and won. It would become his trademark for the next two decades; a formula in which his character fights the good fight, a rare theme in today's thematic portrayals where evil is rewarded and good is punished.
Soon after "Road Warrior," Gibson won the Best Actor award from the Aussie Film Institute for his starring performance in director Peter Weir's World War I epic "Gallipoli." Gibson went on to star in "The year of Living Dangerously" whose character is caught up in the middle of an Indonesian revolution.
Some thought it a mistake for Gibson to play a suicidal and loopy cop in the 1987 movie "Lethal Weapon." But, as usual, his character "pulls it all together" when faced with fending off the bad guys. The mega-hit resulted in three sequels with co-star Danny Glover. Gibson's classic training from his youth on stage in the successful 1990 film "Hamlet," under the direction of Franco Zeffirelli, director of the epic mini-series and filmworld's most accurate portrayal of "Christ Jesus of Nazareth."
And, while Hollywood has largely failed in recapturing classic TV shows in souped-up Hollywood revisions, Mel Gibson was so successful in the movie version of "Maverick" that it earned over $100 million in 1984. Gibson's most ambitious project was 1996's "Braveheart," in which he not only acted, but directed as well. The ambitious movie followed the life of the famed 13th century Scottish warrior William Wallace who united the feuding clans of Scotland to resist the invasions of the tyrannical King Edward I. The exhaustive and intense schedule payed off by winning five Academy Awards.
Gibson will emerge again this year in the much anticipated movie "The Patriot" as well as playing the respected CBS correspondent George Polk; a courageous journalist who faced death while investigating Greek Foreign Minister Constantine Tsaldaris in 1948.
But, if you ask Gibson what his favorite role is; without hesitation he will answer "Dad". Maintaining the solid values of his Catholic upbringing, Gibson and his wife Robyn Moore have been married for two decades. "People ask me to list my greatest accomplishments" says Gibson, who continues "What I'm proudest of is my kids." Make that six kids: Hannah, Edward, Christopher, William, Louis, Milo and with a new arrival in April makes seven. Raising a family is Gibson's first priority; making movies is secondary. Speaking of his wife, "We're a team ...we're a united front, which makes it a lot easier because there's an unequal ratio of kids to grown-ups in this house."
Many have proclaimed that Gibson plays it pretty straight; in a refreshing twist, he seems to take his family more serious than his movies. He has been able to stay above the Hollywood glamor and tinsel, emphasizing his Catholic roots in choice of films and his personal life. It is a personal life that he protects feverishly.
His soul mate and spouse Robyn is his partner and best friend and, like her husband, has her feet solidly on the ground. And Mel is not one to hide behind the ruggedly handsome features God gifted him with. Because he can empathize with those afflicted with mental or physical ailments, he has not been afraid to take on those roles, always giving a noble performance on behalf of the person he is portraying. This was evident from his first film "Tim" to his masterful "The Man Without A Face," which marked his directorial debut, as well as "Conspiracy Theory" and many other films where he exuded depth through three dimensional characters that almost always conveyed dignity of the human being, even in his wildly popular, yet violent and commercial films such as the "Lethal Weapon" series. His greatest acting and directing achievement was, of course, "Braveheart."
He has made it known that from an early age he suffered from being manic depressive, but through his strong faith and appropriate medicines he has been able to overcome these shortcomings to attain the heights of stardom. But, as evidence from his action off the screen, he realizes the real heights are his and his family's ultimate goal - that of Heaven and he's not willing to jeopardize those objectives by falling into the Hollywood glitz trap which so many have. Too bad that is the exception, rather than the rule, when it comes to the dysfunctional lifestyle of most Hollywood personalities. But for Mel Gibson there is a higher source he must answer to and he wants to be ready when God calls "Action!" and, through his life here on earth, assure that he and his family won't end up on the "cutting-room floor" below!
What Hollywood doesn't want you to know
"But, if you ask Gibson what his favorite role is; without hesitation he will answer 'Dad.' Maintaining the solid values of his Catholic upbringing, Gibson and his wife Robyn Moore have been married for two decades. "People ask me to list my greatest accomplishments" says Gibson, who continues 'What I'm proudest of is my kids.' Make that six kids: Hannah, Edward, Christopher, William, Louis, Milo and with a new arrival in April makes seven. Raising a family is Gibson's first priority; making movies is secondary."
In the arena of feature films, there are few actors left on the contemporary movie scene with instant name recognition, staying power, consistency, and deserving of instant respect. The star system that once nurtured well-recognized actors for a lifelong career has largely vanished, replaced by flavor-of-the-month personalities, or at most, actors who flourish for a few years due to overhype, despite their lackluster performances on-screen and off. There are also few left who are solid family men promoting family values. There are even few who are Catholic. One such actor, even superstar in the classic mold of dependable leading man, both on film and in real life today is Mel Gibson.
On Sunday about 1,976 years ago in 24 A.D. Saint Joseph, the gentle protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus is said to have passed to his Heavenly reward dying a peaceful death in Nazareth. All are encouraged to pray to this holy, humble and quiet saint for he is the patron saint of a peaceful death, of workers, of priests and seminarians. He is the patron of the Universal Church, the model of righteousness, protector of children, hope of the sick, consolation of the poor, rescuer of sinners, model of single men and married men, guardian of virgins and safeguard of families. Because this year his feast falls on Sunday, in honor of the importance of his feast, it will be celebrated the following day on Monday the 20th For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
659 A.D.
Death of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, abbess and patron saint of travelers and gardeners
1328 A.D.
Treaty of Edinburgh, where Scotland's independence is recognized by Rome and Pope John XXII
1337 A.D.
Edward, son of King Edward III of England becomes first to receive title of Royal Duke of Cornwall, as the One Hundred Year breaks out between England and France, preventing Pope Benedict XII from organizing a united crusade against the infidels.
1497 A.D.
Pope Alexander VI orders a cave in Ireland sealed, the same one St. Patrick had tabbed as one which, through a private revelation, revealed it led to hell. It had become known as "St. Patrick's Purgatory" and attracted many pilgrims expecting to see the torments of hell up close and personal. Why is beyond us.
1521 A.D.
Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator and explorer discovers the Philippines, establishing that region for Portugal and bringing the faith to this region where it has flourished ever since despite persecutions by the Moors.
1526 A.D.
King Francis I of France is released from Spanish captivity through the intervention of Pope Clement VII in an effort to gain protection from the ravaging of the Emperor Charles V in a see-saw battle that saw Rome waver in its loyalty between France and Germany in an effort to save Rome and the rest of Italy.
1756 A.D.
Catholics of New York City celebrate the first St. Patrick's Day at the Crown and Thistle Tavern.
1762 A.D.
Irish Catholics stage their first St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City on this date, even before the nation is established.
417 A.D.
The Greek Pope Saint Zosimus becomes the 41st successor of Peter. He would die less than two years later on December 26, 418. He had a strong personality which would fortify him in his insisting on the rights of the Church against foreign interference. Of very strict morals, this holy Sovereign Pontiff would ordain that illegitimate children could not be raised to the priesthood. He would also send apostolic vicars to the Franks.
731 A.D.
Pope Saint Gregory III becomes the 90th successor of Peter. This Syrian-born Vicar of Christ would die ten years and ten days later on March 28, 741. He would seek the help of Charles the Hammer, king of the Franks against the Lombards. From this fact would be derived the title of "Most Christian" assumed by the monarchs of France ever since. He also would earmark charitable donations to the Holy See to be termed "Peter's Pence."
971 A.D.
Saint Edward, King of England is martyred by an assassin.
1123 A.D.
First Lateran Council, the ninth Ecumenical Council to be held, is convened by Pope Calixtus II in Rome.
1227 A.D.
Death of Pope Honorius III, 177th successor of Peter. This Roman-born pontiff was elected on July 18, 1216. He defined, in the Liber Censorium the rights of the Popes and specified the ceremonial for their election. With Andrew II of Hungary, he organized the Fifth Crusade. He also received a vision in a dream about Saint Francis and recalled him to Rome to approve the Assisi saint's Order of Friars Minor.
1229 A.D.
The German Emperor Frederick II proclaims himself King of Jerusalem despite lack of support from Pope Gregory IX who eventually excommunicated Frederick for his insubordination and meddling.
1314 A.D.
King Philip IV of France, paranoid of the growing power of the Knights Templar from the spoils they gained in the Holy Lands, accuses them of heresy in his vendetta against the deceased Pope Boniface VIII and orders the burning of thirty-nine Knights, including Jacques de Molay, the last Master of the Templars.
1556 A.D.
The Catholic Queen Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, returns to Edinburgh after a time in exile.
1128 A.D.
Queen Theresa of Portugal gifts the Castle of Soure to the Knights Templars for their noble efforts in the crusades.
1148 A.D.
Crusaders of the Second Crusade make their entrance into Antioch
1227 A.D.
Pope Gregory IX succeeds Pope Honorius III as the 178th in the line of Peter. He would go on to be known as the "canonizer" for elevating St. Francis, St. Dominic, and St. Anthony. He was also called the "excommunicator" for taking the bold move of placing Frederick II under interdiction. It was Gregory who instituted the "Holy Inquisition."
1229 A.D.
The German Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen enters Jerusalem causing the Archbishop of Caesarea to place an inderdict on the Holy City at Pope Gregory IX's command.
1452 A.D.
Frederick III becomes the last Holy Roman Emperor to be coronated in Rome
1532 A.D.
Church property in England is confiscated by King Henry VIII in retaliation for Pope Clement VII's censures on him.
1925 A.D.
Pope Pius XI elevates Father Angelo G. Roncalli to the episcopacy, naming him titular Archbishop of Areopolis and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. Archbishop Roncalli would go on to become a cardinal and then the 261st successor of Peter as Pope John XXIII.
1937 A.D.
Pope Pius XI publishes his 28th encyclical Divini redemptoris speaking out against atheistic communism.
Historical Events in Church Annals for March 17:
461 A.D.
Death of Saint Patrick, Bishop and Apostle of Ireland. For more see WEEKEND LITURGY
Historical Events in Church Annals for March 18:
386 A.D.
Death of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. For more see DAILY LITURGY
Historical Events in Church Annals for March 19:
@24 A.D.
Death of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Church, foster father of Jesus, spouse and protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For more, see WEEKEND DAILY LITURGY
