Several months ago, the CL Community in Miami received a special invitation from our friends from Comunità Cenacolo to attend the US premiere of the movie Hope Reborn.

Hope Reborn is a full-length, faith-based film about Comunità Cenacolo, a spiritual sanctuary where souls who have lost all hope are rescued through a conscientious program of prayer, work, love, as well as life-changing community projects and experiences. Comunità Cenacolo is the unique vision of Madre Elvira, who began the work 42 years ago, inspiring its growth to over 70 locations around the world.

This docu-drama, entirely told by members of the Cenacolo community, is like no other film. Produced by Dinamo Productions and directed by Alvaro Lanciai, it provides rare access into the incredible second-chance journey of its members. The screening was free of charge and open to the public.

Together with Eddie, Miriam and Joep we went to the premier, along with some members of Comunità Cenacolo from St. Augustine, Florida, Italy, and Medjugorje. There were about 200 people who attended the screening at the Bill Cosford Cinema at University of Miami. We all liked the movie as, while it’s well done, it’s also a pure witness of what brings true salvation to a lost life, a life that had lost its meaning. The answer to this drama, contained in the movie message, is clear: Jesus of Nazareth. ‘Of Nazareth’ because it is the same Man who continues to offer the true salvation that allows us all to find the meaning of life we are made for.

In fact, in the movie, there is a constant back and forth and clear connection between scenes from the Gospel narrating facts of salvation that happened over 2000 years ago and the personal witnesses of the Cenacolo members about their own redemption, precisely because of their living encounter with Him that began when they joined the Community. Another positive sign that the whole audience appreciated the film was the many questions that arose from them to better understand and discover more about this saving community, present in the world.

After the event, we invited our friends from Cenacolo and a few others, including the film director, to come to our home. I was happy to see that they chose to spend the evening with us. We ended up around the table having pizza and sharing a simple meal together. Above all we shared our experience of the One who unexpectedly brought us all together on our own paths of salvation with an openness like brothers and sisters. We rediscovered, right there at that table, His beautiful and unmistakable face mirrored in the unity of His Church.

More information about Comunita’ Cenacolo, as well as the trailer for Hope Reborn can be found at www.hopereborn.org

Matteo and Maria Letizia, Miami