This is the amazing story of Sister Pascalina Lehnert (1894-1983) who was the personal confidant and secretary to Pope Pius XII for 40 years, when he was the Papal Nuncio in Germany, and then after for his whole Pontificate. The Pope had great confidence in her wisdom, energy and loyalty, and she became known as "the most powerful woman in the history of the Vatican." In 1918, the young nun Pascalina was sent to Munich to be the housekeeper of the new Papal Nuncio, Eugenio Pacelli. Though they seem to have little in common, Pacelli became impressed by Pascalina's directness, zeal and alertness. During his delicate negotiations on the Concordat with Bavaria and Prussia, he benefits from Pascalina's pertinent comments and clear-headed views. He is sad to leave her behind when he is appointed Cardinal Secretary of State in 1929 and moves to Vatican City -- where women are forbidden to live.But Pascalina's loyalty and strong support are missed, and she is invited to work in the Vatican -- the first woman ever to do so. As part of Pacelli's Vatican household, she contends with the intrigues and rivalries of men who resent the privileges she enjoys and the power she wields. But all in-fighting soon pales before the horrors of the war, which begins the same year that Pacelli is elected Pope and becomes Pius XII.As the war tears Europe apart, the Pope puts his life, and the papacy itself, on the line by opposing the Nazis and fascists. Visiting the injured, steering through plots and conspiracies, he relies heavily on Sister Pascalina, his most important link to the world of the suffering and the persecuted. Thanks to the fearlessness of Rome's clergy and the tirelessness of Pascalina, he manages to save the lives of many Roman Jews. As head of the private papal charity, Pascalina uses her organizational skills to help thousands. She remains at Pacelli's side until his death in 1958, as his most important confidante, valued adviser and friend -- God's mighty servant to the end.This DVD contains the following language options: In German with English and Spanish subtitles.
L**.
God’s mighty servsnt
It’s a great story of the nun who worked side by side with Pope Pius XII. I enjoyed the movie. I would have enjoyed it better if it was in English instead of the German language. The movie has English subtitles.
R**T
Goodness Prevails
Talk about woman "stepping up to the plate"............and there is NO PLACE MORE DIFFICULT THAN THE VATICAN.........She was one gutsy lady............she was discriminated against to say the least; however, she knew her place .....that is, A SERVANT TO GOD FIRST..........and once she "left the rest to the Master"..............those doors opened and she knew to stay "out of the loop" and let God handle it.......and HE DID!!!!! A lesson to us all............if God is who He says He is and if we believe that with all of our hearts.........anything IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD.........not to say there won't be a little "indigestion" however, that goes with the territory..........and this lady knew it. Thanks again for providing these DVD's for everyone. Rita L. Rast
A**N
with america going mad with divorces , we need to look back to the reference of the purpose of life
This is truly an awesome movie. As a US MArine, I must say that the church clergy has lost its way by becoming more secular, dumping their habit and resulting in child molesting and pregnancies....This movie also tells us how to behave respectful in all situations and positions, where a man and woman know their proper place and function instead of the rebellious, pervert and sinful divorces we have today....A good dvd to bring you back to reality of the standard how God will judge us later..Having lived in germany a short time i can tell you this Nun is awesome and truly genuine person with German discipline which has been lost today by lazyness.
M**L
personal courage in persecution
I knew some of the story of Pope Pius 12 but this movie made me love him more. He carried a heavy burden: how to help our older brothers in the faith without causing more harm. Diplomacy was a jagged road to walk and turning to God was the Pontiff's source of strength and wisdom. His need to be cared for by Sister reminds me of our need to be cared for by Our Lady. Pope Pius' strength and weakness made him so real. The trial of discerning God's Will is a trial we all must face; I hope I can face it with great courage and prayer as did this great saint.
S**K
Great film
This is a good movie based on a real person. She was obviously very talented. I don't like how she was treated sometimes - was she too pushy and overstepped her bounds or was it that the men in charge resented her influence? You have to watch the movie and decide for yourself.
D**G
Enjoyed it very much
This was wonderful, it shows that people committed to God can still have tenacious personalities. Not all religious are lambs for the slaughter. Loved that it is in German, that made it more interesting for me. You can turn on the subtitles, if you like.
J**E
DEFECTIVE DVD!
Having read so many beautiful stories about this sister, I was so excited to find this movie and couldn't wait to watch it. The video is defective. Don't purchase it.
A**E
A moving picture
of a religious woman working in the Vatican during WWII. I shared the DVD with a marine and he said, about Pascalina: "Now that's the way a saint should be!" (This movie also dispels some of the anti-Catholic vitriol that Pacelli acted as Hitler's pope.) Acting is superb. Highly recommended for family viewing.
