Search - Father Kino Story on DVD

17th Century Religious Problems that Continue to Today

Artist & Author | Near Mt. Baker, WA | 08/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, this is a very old movie and the DVD shows it. However, it is an important story in the Jesuit missions to North America. The story takes place from 1685-1699 in what is now Mexico. Fr. Kino and the other Jesuit missionaries worked diligently to bring those peaceful people to an understanding and love of God through Jesus. Like the Flathead Indians who cried for joy at Fr. DeSmet's arrival, almost two hundred years later, those Mexican Indian rejoiced at Fr. Kino's message and service.



Regrettably, it was difficult for the Indians to distinguish between the Spanish soldiers and miners, who also wore a cross and claimed to be Christian, and the heart felt, loving Christianity of Fr. Kino and the other Jesuit missionaries. The soldiers resorted to violence too quickly and indiscriminately and the minors turned the Indians into slaves to work their mines. So, they made enemies of the Church and Christianity among some of the Indians. This movie is the story of that conflict.



Traditional values families might wish to discuss this issue, that of people claiming to be Christian but who do not live with Christ's love. Today, Islam is facing the same issue; Moslems claiming it is a peaceful and loving religion, while other's claiming to be Moslems who are preaching terrorism and violence. Fr. Kino stood up against the soldiers and miners; will Moslems claiming peacefulness do the same against their Islamic terrorists? These are good issues for family discussion that arise in this old movie."