SIGNIS VJs - Peace Path of a Cristero

Mauricio Kuri, 14, plays the role of Blessed Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, a Mexican Cristero, who was put to death for standing up for his faith, in a history remake movie called Cristiada. The message of the movie is consistent with the Pope's message for the World Youth Day, "Firm in Faith". It tells of defending the faith peacefully. Produced by: Karen Arukesamy and Therence Charles (Malaysia), part of the SIGNIS VJs training and production programme held in Madrid 2011.

Script:
Firm in faith means to be strongly rooted and to stand your grounds for your faith. However, violence and war is never the answer.

That was the strong belief of a 14-year-old Mexican Cristero, executed by the Mexican government during the Cristero War in the early 1900s, because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith.

Kuri said: "His name is Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, a beatified little man soldier. Each soldier was called a Cristero."

In November 2005, Pope Benedict XVI declared Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río a martyr and beatified him.

Mauricio Kuri, a 14-year-old boy, brings this young hero's courage and sacrifice to live in his first debut in Cristiada, which will hit the cinemas end 2011.

Kuri said: "Well, in the movie when he heard that the government was attacking the Catholic church in Mexico, this little young man said no I cannot let that happen. I want to defend my belief and faith. He packed his bag and left home to join the Cristero, the war."

Inspired by Jose Luis' love for Christ and his faith, young Kuri said one should stand firm in their faith and stand up for it whenever necessary.

Kuri said: "The message of the WYD, planted in Jesus Christ, that is exactly what Jose Luis said and believed."

"Jose Luis did not kill anyone but he wants to defend and served and helped people in the Cristero camp. He treats the injured people, prepare their equipments... yes, he serves... but also I say if they are attacking your religion, you need fight it is not through violence; do it like Gandhi did."

Kuri's hope for the Mexicans when the movie is released for them to know what really happened since the Cristero War "is like a black file in Mexican history".

Kuri said: "If everybody knows they would realize that we have a great hero and I am proud of my city and from my country. It is really important, because Mexico is having a it would give hope to Mexico."

"He was just a little boy but he had the guts to say no I am going to defend my religion. He said 'no more easy way to earn heaven than to give your life to Christ'."

This is what he means to choose the peace path.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• WYD
• VJs
• cristeros
• kuri
• SanchezDelRio
• cristiada