Review: The Violinist

Stories of Solanus Casey

You might say that Blessed Solanus Casey strikes a “charming chord.” Imagine a humble Capuchin friar with an intense love for playing the violin—even if, as his friends gently put it, it was scratchy. He played despite a lack of great skill, demonstrating something quintessentially human in this holy man. He played without concern for his lack of virtuosity. He was unashamed of his imperfections. This delightful short film, The Violinist: Stories of Solanus Casey, by the Augustine Institute, captures that very spirit of Solanus, presenting him as both deeply relatable and spiritually magnetic.

Blessed Solanus Casey was known for helping countless souls in need, offering comfort and aid to people from all walks of life. What makes this film special is the deeply personal way it brings Solanus’ story to life through the experiences of three individuals who had meaningful encounters with him.

The film tells a part of Blessed Solanus’ life through encounters with three people who knew him. We are introduced to his niece, who first met him at a family reunion when she was just 15. She knew of him and was looking forward to meeting this priest that was larger than life. When he joined his siblings at the family picnic, what stood out most was that he was just a regular guy. Fr. Solanus would eventually be instrumental in her decision to enter the convent, a decision that she came to after his gentle listening and urging that her decision was between her and God alone. Next, we meet a plucky Irish woman who came to the United States as a girl, leaving behind a childhood of hard work in search of opportunity in a new country. Fr. Solanus proved to be a great influence in her life, modeling the virtue of helping others. Finally, we meet a brother Capuchin friar who lived with Fr. Solanus in Detroit. One Christmas, he encountered Fr. Solanus, alone in the church late at night, playing his violin for the child Jesus. He was moved to how much his brother friar loved the Lord.

Solanus’ quirky love for the violin adds warmth and humor to the narrative. This friar didn’t play to impress but to express his joy, despite his lack of skill. His simple, sometimes off-tune performances were a small testament to his childlike heart. At a time when people often think saints must be perfect, Solanus shows us that holiness is a journey for the wholehearted, not the flawless. The violin is symbolic of his life: sometimes awkward, not always pitch-perfect, but always offered with love.

Through the lens of these three individuals and the humility of a man who embraced life’s imperfections, the film paints a portrait of Solanus Casey as a saint for our times. With a simple yet profound faith, he listened and helped, bringing God’s light into the darkest of situations.


Florissant, MO, October 23, 2024— At a time when the Church turns its attention in a special way toward the heroic and virtuous lives of the many holy men and women who make up the Communion of Saints, the Augustine Institute, in partnership with Digital Continent, announces the release of a new documentary series called “Based on a True Saint.”  Through captivating illustrations, photography, video, and immersive storytelling, the new series uncovers the lives of saints (and soon-to-be saints) from the people who actually knew them in real life.  Ahead of All Saints Day and his November birthday, Blessed Solanus Casey leads the way as the featured subject in the first installment of the series now available on Formed, the Augustine Institute’s on-demand streaming platform.

Film Review: Blue Baby

Blue Baby (2024), by filmmakers Josh and Lisa Sabey, offers an intimate and moving look into the lives of young offenders housed at Boys Town, a community where transformation and hope take root. As the documentary unfolds, we are invited to walk alongside these boys as they struggle with their pasts and embark on a journey of healing.

Gritty and Honest

One of the film’s most compelling aspects is its ability to balance stark reality with glimpses of redemption. The Sabeys capture each story with honesty, making it clear that while not all outcomes are perfect, Boys Town provides an essential opportunity for growth. The film doesn’t shy away from difficult truths—it shows how these young men confront brokenness, yet within that brokenness, they find strength and the courage to change.

The heart of Blue Baby lies in the idea that every child deserves a second chance, even those who have lost their way. Boys Town serves as a family-like haven where the boys learn not just about themselves, but about the power of community and commitment. The film highlights the impact this kind of environment has—not just on the boys themselves, but on their futures as men, fathers, and citizens.

Ultimately, Blue Baby is a testament to hope and resilience, reminding us that with love, support, and faith, even the most troubled hearts can find a path forward. It’s a must-watch for those who believe in the possibility of transformation through compassion and structure. At its core, it offers hope for those families who feel the pull of despair.

The film premieres on October 9, 2024. Recommended for mature audiences.

Review: Irena’s Vow

Irena’s Vow (2023), directed by Louise Archambault, left me speechless. Based on a true story, Irena Gut, a Polish woman conscripted to serve as housekeeper to a Nazi officer in Warsaw after it fell to the Nazis, witnesses an unspeakable atrocity against a mother and infant. Powerless to do anything to protect them, she returns to work, shaken. Her supervisor, a kind German civilian, instructs her to keep to herself and survive as she can. She willin a heartbreaking sacrifice.

Irena supervises a group of Jews forced into labor as tailors to the German officers. They become her friends, sharing the fear of their impending deaths. Irena becomes their source of information for the progression of the Nazi plan in their village. She learns they will be executed soon and acts quickly to hide them in the German officer’s cellar.

As housekeeper, Irena has the run of the household, and keeps her friends hidden for many months before being discovered. During this period, we learn about Irena’s vow to save as many lives as she can. Her vow, buoyed by her Catholic conviction, saves one more life.

In the 1980s, while living in Miami, I had the unique experience of meeting Holocaust survivors. Each personal story of survival carried with it the meaning of the dignity of the human person. When we think of the Holocaust, images from death camps spring to mind, and certainly, as the heinous end for the 6 million persons murdered at the hand of Nazis. We should also know the other stories of that persecution, stories that should horrify and enrage us at the depths of the inhumanity that led to those camps.

Irena’s Vow is one such story of courage, the instinct for survival, remarkable generosity, and the ultimate miracle of life.


Highly recommended for mature teens and older.  In theaters April 15-16

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