Certainly one of the best movies of last year was the foreign film “Of Gods and Men”  about the murders of a group of monks in Algeria.Yes, the movie has subtitles, but it is a haunting story  that is both a warning about religious extremism and a celebration of community and faith.  So while I highly recommend you watch the movie now that it is on DVD, this is a book-ish blog after all. Therefore, I went looking for some supplemental reading that would update the story or give some new insights that aren’t perhaps fully covered in the movie. There is a book by John Kiser entitled “The Monks of Tibhirine” that looks like  it was probably the main source piece for the movie and then there is a deeply moving article about a monk who survived the massacre and prays for the conversion of those who killed his fellow monks.

Brother Schumacher said he prays that the world may “progress towards universal brotherhood, that despite the differences between religions, nationalities and cultures, we may learn to know each other and mutually help each other.”

 It’s a poweful sentiment to focus  on at any time , but it seems especially appropriate in light of  current events as well as in response to any leftover July 4th  euphoria.