Mundo milagroso. (miraculous world)

Description

In Texan communities along the Rio Grande River, there is a vibrant mixture of Spanish Catholicism and Indian mysticism. For hundreds of years various saints and religious figures have made appearances to a receptive public. This film takes a respectful look at the current manifestations of these symbols of faith and the people who hold them dear.The filmmakers, one of whom is of Mexican descent, set out for the border to witness these phenomena themselves. They visit the modest home of Paulita Rivera in Hidalgo, TX, who discovered the face of Jesus in a tortilla she had made. Soon the tortilla was encased in plastic and revered by supplicants for its healing properties. Another town boasts the Shrine of the Holy Camaro where a religious silhouette suddenly appeared on a Chevrolet. Believers congregate daily to pray for miracles for their loved ones. In Brownsville stands the Madonna Tree whose bark displays an image of the Virgin. We hear from people who believe that God intervened for them and cured their ailments.In these border towns there is an abiding faith in spiritual forces. Just as their Indian ancestors saw divinity in the rising of the sun each day, so they have sighted objects of faith in their daily surroundings.

Runtime

28 min

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

1996, 1995

Database

Alexander Street

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