A TIME FOR MIRACLES

US, 1980, 107 minutes, Colour.
Kate Mulgrew, Rossano Brazzi, Lorne Greene, John Forsythe, Jean Pierre Aumont, Milo O'Shea.
Directed by Michael O'Herlihy.

A Time for Miracles is a reverent biography of America's first canonised woman saint: Elizabeth Bayley Seton. Born in the 18th. century, she was a widow who became a Catholic and was asked by the Archbishop of Baltimore to begin a religious order for the education of girls and for the poor (the latter being her stipulation).

The film takes the generally pious tone of the Hollywood biography. At times, the ordinary humanness of Elizabeth Seton breaks through. Kate Mulgrew (Tristan and Isolde, A Stranger is Watching, Star Trek) does her best with the central role. There are many guest stars including Lorne Greene as the Archbishop, John Forsythe as the 20th. century Cardinal, Jean Pierre Aumont as the priest who helps, Rossano Brazzi as an Italian nobleman.

The film is colourful, has the atmosphere of the early 19th. century and is a tribute to a strong American woman - her saintliness and her ordinariness do not come quite so well through the screenplay. One is left wondering, somewhat, what distinguishes Elizabeth Seton from others in her sainthood.

1. The presentation of an American saint? In the American context? Enjoyable entertainment. period drama?

2. The opening and closing in Rome: the cardinals discussing the cause of Elizabeth Seton, their discussions, the nature of miracles required? The pleading of the Bishop? The finale with the conditions being waived for her canonisation? Pope Paul VI's proclamation?

3. The atmosphere of the 19th. century, America, Europe? Decor and styles? Affluence and poverty? The ecclesiastical atmosphere? The Catholic tone?

4. The title and its focus on Elizabeth Seton's canonisation? The miracles achieved by her dedication?

5. The portrait of Elizabeth Seton: an 18th. century American girl, growing up, her marriage, her devotion to her husband, her children, his losing his money, illness, death? As a widow? The visit to Italy, the friendship of the Felici family? Her love for Antonio? Her interest in the Catholic church, worship, her attempt at confession? Her return to the United States? The welcome from her children? Her interest in Catholicism, the anti-Catholic riots and her injury, her family disapproving and her being cut off? The hostility of her son? Her being received into the Catholic church? The failing of her school? The invitation to Baltimore, the priest, the Cardinal Archbishop, the request to found the religious order? Her hesitations? The first girls and their loyalty? Her spirit and spirituality, habit? The establishing of the school? Friendships, hostilities and the farmer changing his mind about Catholics and education? The poverty and hardships, ecclesiastical support? Her achievement for American religious spirit and education?

6. Elizabeth Seton's children, victims of their home situation, William's hostility and the happiness of the final reunion? The girls and their approving their mother's conversion, supporting her, in the school? Their sharing in her poverty ? and the repercussions on her awareness of her being a mother? The early nuns and her having to be a mother to them?

7. The Felici family, the Italian style, the Catholic tradition, Antonio, the visits to America, his coming to her aid?

8. The Cardinal and his quest, confidence in her, the conditions, changing the rules so that she would found the order?