Real Catholic Blog

In November, I wrote about an exciting new film produced by Newt and Callista Gingrich about John Paul II. Yes, that Newt Gingrich, who converted to Catholicism within the last couple of years (as written about here with video), with the earthly influence of his wife, Callista, and the late Holy Father himself; as well, of course, from the Divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Originally, the movie, Nine Days That Changed The World, a DVD documentary which chronicles the Pontiff’s 1979 visit to his native Poland — a pilgrimage that drew a third of Poland’s population to see him and peacefully, but forcefully, jackhammered the first cracks into the grip of Soviet enslavement of Eastern Europe — was supposed to have been released late last year. It wasn’t, but in a bittersweet irony it was released a couple of weeks ago, around the time of the plane crash that killed the Polish president, first lady and several high ranking government officials.

Nine Days That Changed The World looks extraordinary. That’s easy, of course, because John Paul The Great is and an extraordinary subject. The movie features priceless archival film and photos and interviews with John Paul biographer George Weigel and Solidarity leader and former Polish President Lech Walesa. It will bring back to life a period not long ago but neglected and taken for granted already, one which, as with all John Paul did, brings to life timeless lessons. It was a history altering event, an impact  unforeseen and unexpected by almost everyone at the time, but one which to this day shows the Heavenly power of the Holy Spirit.  

Here’s more about the film from Gingrich Productions:

Pope John Paul II’s historic nine-day pilgrimage to Poland in June of 1979 created a revolution of conscience that transformed Poland and fundamentally reshaped the spiritual and political landscape of the 20th Century. … explore what transpired during these nine days that moved the Polish people to renew their hearts, reclaim their courage, and free themselves from the shackles of Communism.

Nine Days That Changed The World and showed the unequal power of the Holy Spirit in the realm of man.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, a recent convert to Catholicism, and one who freely talks about the inspiration he derived from Pope John Paul II before his conversion, has produced a new documentary on the late Pontiff’s return to his native Poland in June 1979, a seminal event that was the first sledge hammer blow at the base of communism. It’s called Nine Days That Changed The World and is due for release sometime before the end of the year.

It’s hard to recall those times, not so much because of the years, but given the context of today’s world. There is little tension between countries of opposing political philosophies, but rather between terrorism and civilization. But then, standing armies and strategic geo-political alliances were balanced and counter balanced constantly. Evil empires enslaved hundreds of millions of people and exiled God . . . or at least tried to.

One Soviet dictator famously ridiculed the power of the Papacy by snidely asking, “How many divisions does the Pope command?” But in October 1978, it began to change through the power of the Holy Spirit with the election of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as the Successor of Saint Peter.

Even the shortest examination of John Paul The Great’s life reveals that the Holy Spirit had something enormously important in store for him, from his days in Poland under Nazi, then communist rule, barely escaping with his life. The film’s promotional material explained his impact as Pope this way:

What transpired during these nine days that so moved a nation to begin to free itself of its Communist shackles? Why did millions of Poles, almost one third of the entire nation, come to see the Pope during his public appearances? What was the nature of the Communist system in Poland that made John Paul II’s visit a liberating moment?

Nine Days that Changed the World is a story of human liberation. It reveals how Pope John Paul II’s historic visit helped the Poles not only find their courage, but also reclaim their culture. This film presents the Pope’s message — that after the lies of Nazism and Communism, authentic human freedom is only possible through a true understanding of our humanity.

We look forward to hearing more about this film and its eventual release.

John Paul The Great celebrating Mass with millions during his hero’s welcome to his native Poland in 1979. That visit led to the eventual emancipation of Eastern Europe. A third of the entire Polish population saw him in those nine days.

In 1995, Jeb Bush,the former Florida governor and the younger brother offormer president, George W. Bush, converted to the Faith from the Episcopal Church, and has been a steadfast and public defender of the Faith ever since. Because of he and his brother are very close, and the former president’s close relationship with many Catholic lay and clerical leaders, as well as his clear defense of life and marriage, many have suggested the possibility that he may become the next high-profile American public figure to convert (see Newt Gingrich). But it’s not likely.

At Communion and Liberation’s annual Rimini Meeting last week, Jeb Bush said his brother is “pretty comfortable with his Methodist faith.” Despite that, during his presidency, it was clear that the former president has a true affection for Catholicism. He took time out to attend both Pope John Paul II’s funeral as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s investiture Mass. He and Pope Benedict had a visibly warm relationship as was seen during the Holy Father’s unforgettable White House reception. Who knows? Perhaps one day. After all, faith is a journey. For some, it takes a bit longer.

As for Jeb Bush, he described his conversion this way, from Catholic Online via The Deacons Bench blog:

Bush said what primarily attracted him to the faith were the “sacraments of the Catholic Church, the timeless nature of the message of the Catholic Church, and the fact that the Catholic Church believes in and acts on absolute truth as its foundational principles and doesn’t move with modern times as my former religion did.”

A former Episcopalian who was received into the Church in 1995, Bush said, “In the United States many people think that to keep your faith, you need to put it into a safety deposit box if you’re an elected official until you finish your service as a public servant, and then you can go and get it back. I never thought that was appropriate.”

That’s a great testimony to the everlasting Truth of the Faith as well as the necessity to live that Truth and Faith in your life, no matter as a public official or a private citizen.

Last week, upon his death, I posted the story of Robert Novak’s conversion to the Church as well as an account of a personal encounter I had with him. Reflecting on Mr. Novak, I realized there are numerous stories of people famous and not who have inspiring stories of conversion to the Faith. We’ll try to highlight some of them along the way.

But it also occured to me that there was another famous Washington power broker type who’s also converted to the Faith with whom I also have had a couple of personal moments. That would be former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

I met him a couple of years ago at a fundraiser for a group for which I did some volunteer work. A woman I know popped up with a camera out of nowhere while I, by chance was standing next to him, having finished a brief conversation with him and getting his autograph. She asked if I would like my picture with him. I said, “I think that’s the Speaker’s decision. Does he want one with me?” He gladly stopped and posed. My mom, who loves him, was very impressed.

This past spring, I was at a dinner where he was the special guest speaker. I had no hope of getting close to him, but as I walked through the hotel lobby, there he was — having just emerged from a makeshift studio where he participated in a live cable news interview. I looked up, saw him, and couldn’t hold back. I reminded him of the picture story, but quickly got right to the point:

“Mr. Speaker, I’m a big fan, but my mom is absolutely crazy about you. But as a devout Catholic, when she read about your recent conversion, she cried she was so happy!”

He smiled as broad as Saint Peter’s Square and a genuine twinkle of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He gushed his thanks and told me to be sure to thank her. I had the impression he wouldn’t have minded hanging around and talking about it — in his speech earlier, he quoted John Paul II extensively. But I decided not to press my luck. Instead, I moved along, counting my blessings . . . and his.

Here’s one of the few public comments Mr. Gingrich has made about his conversion:

Brother Newt? The former Speaker of the House is passionate about the admiration he had for John Paul II well before his conversion to the Faith.