The True Story about Three Shepherd Children and “A Lady from Heaven”

Organizations that participate in the Advance Screening Program purchase a one-year license, allowing them to show The 13th Day as often as they want over a year.

by Christine Schicker Tuesday, October 27, 2009

For More Information:
Christine Schicker, 404-610-8871 or
CSchicker@MaximusMG.com

Ignatius Press Releases The 13th Day on DVD

SAN FRANCISCO, October 27, 2009 – To some, the number 13 is “unlucky.” To three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917, and those who dared to believe them, the number was “blessed.” The film, The 13th Day, tells the true story of supernatural events that took place between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917.

Based on the memoirs of Sister Maria Lucia de Jesus, The 13th Day describes six separate appearances of “A Lady from Heaven” to Lucia Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. In one appearance, Lucia, a simple, shepherd girl, is told she must learn to read and write so that she can “make the Lady’s message known to the world.”

In one of the most disturbing visions, the children are given a warning that consisted of a vision of Hell, a foretelling of the rise of communism in Russia and a vision of an assassination of a Pope. In the final vision on October 13, the “Lady” who reveals herself to be Mary, the Mother of Jesus, tells the children that people must return to God. That same day, the children and the more than 70,000 witnesses gathered after hearing of the visions, are shown a miracle – The Miracle of the Sun. Those present saw the sun dancing, spinning in the sky and diving to the earth.

The 13th Day film is a masterful, artistic retelling of what the children and thousands of pilgrims experienced over a six month period. Ignatius Press, the North American distributors of the film, is offering dioceses, parishes, schools and other organizations across the United States an opportunity to show The 13th Day before it is available on DVD to the public.

“The 13th Day Advance Screening Program was created as an opportunity for groups, parishes and dioceses to show the film The 13th Day before it is available to the public,” Anthony Ryan, Director of Marketing for Ignatius Press, said. “Special viewings of the film, particularly during the month of October, dedicated to the Rosary, are particularly impactful for catechesis and faith formation, as well as for basic, family-friendly entertainment.”

Organizations that participate in the Advance Screening Program purchase a one-year license, allowing them to show The 13th Day as often as they want over a year. Promotional materials such as posters, event planning guides, customizable postcard invitations, Our Lady of Fatima prayer cards and T-shirts are included. Special Features on the DVD include optional Spanish subtitles, a 24-page companion Collector's Booklet, as well as interviews with key Fatima experts.

For more information about The 13th Day, the Advance Screening Program or to schedule an interview with Anthony Ryan, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871. You may also visit the website at www.the13thdaymovie.com.

###

The Maximus Group Building Bridges between Sacred and Secular Audiences