“He would understand me in a way my husband never could,” commented one female viewer. Don Giovanni D’Ercole, a priest who reads the Gospel on state broadcaster RAI’s morning magazine (Raiuno Mattina), was voted the “most trustworthy” man on Italian television. D’ercole, who bears a vague resemblance to Richard Chamberlain of “Thornbirds” fame, beat out noted doctors, presenters and journalists. The results were a “surprise” to ad agency BRW & Partners, which conducted the focus group of 978 women between 25-55 to find which current male stars appeal most to female audiences.The recent trend of TV dramas which feature handsome, heroic priests must have had some influence–the runner-up was actor Massimo Dapporto, who recently played priest Don Marco in the series “Casa Famiglia.”Copy & Paste for Dapporto, a dashing man of the cloth who conducts biblical archeology, on a scooter.

There was bound to be a boom in religious-inspired entertainment during the Jubilee year, harder to predict, however, that St. Francis of Assisi would become the center of attention. The patron saint of animals is the object of two musicals and an album by singer/songwriter Angelo Branduardi.
“Francesco, il Musical” is the result of collaboration between American Dick Leach, best known for creating the children’s program Barney & Friends and acclaimed writer Vincenzo Cerami, noted for long collaboration with Roberto Benigni. After a trip to Assisi in 1987, Leach was inspired to produce the musical and determined to stage the production in the birthplace of the saint– overcoming the lack of venue by building the Lyrick Theater. The protagonist of the sumptuous production (total cost: around $12 million USD) is a young priest, Leonardo, who longs to emulate the saint. In Italian with English supertitles.
www.francescoilmusical.com/home.html

“Forza Venite Gente,” is the re-edition of a musical by Michele Paulicelli. The original version, created in 1981, logged in over 2,000 performances in Italy and hit stages in Poland and Mexico. Paulicelli, former frontman for 1970s band Pandemonium, says his aim was to show the lighter and joyous aspects of the saint’s life and love of nature. The no-frills production garnered a recommendation from the Artistic and Cultural Commission of the Jubilee and the success has inspired Paulicelli to start work a second musical–on Mother Theresa. www.forzavenitegente.com/mappa.htm

St. Francis: the Album Angelo Branduardi’s latest effort “Infinitamente piccolo” is a complex work of prose and music, woven together by contributing musicians like Morricone, Madredeus and Franco Battiato. The best way to experience it-listen to excerpts from the live performance in Assisi. www.kwvideo.kataweb.it/archivio/webcast/branduardi/frame_branduardi.htm
For tour dates: www.branduardi.com

So, why St. Francis? The bare outlines of his story transcend the time he lived in –1181 to 1226. He had it all (and when he did, lived it up) but renounced his wealth in favor of a spiritual life in harmony with the environment and not without the usual pangs. Interesting to note the figure of Sister Chiara–noted platonic flirt of the saint–figures in both plays.

79% don’t fear consequences of sins
72% think pride, not humility, is indispensable
67% believe that sin exists
29% excessive smoking is a sin
22% worst sin: being a turncoat
15% believe lies constitute sin

The seven deadly sins, considered an express ticket to hell since the Middle Ages, have been replaced by other vice. For 860 Italians between 18-45 interviewed by a popular men’s magazine, most don’t even make the list.
Both pride and sloth (only 15% knew what "l’accidia" meant) went by the wayside as milder versions like self-esteem and relaxation are considered necessary in frantic modern life.
Lust, greed and gluttony were condemned mainly for the undesirable effects of getting a divorce, thrown into jail or growing out of the Armani trousers–not for fear of celestial repercussions. Envy and anger weren’t even taken into consideration.
An unnerving discovery: cutting a good figure in public ("fare la bella figura") is not only important, but being poorly dressed or improperly dressed for the occasion can actually be "guilt provoking" for some Italians.

Related resources:
www.iltuosito.it/iltuosuccesso/look.htm
One way to keep guilt at bay: get the right look.

7,500,000 overnight visitors to San Giovanni Rotondo, 1999
2,241 hotel beds available
49 hotels currently under construction
2,156 dedicated prayer groups, worldwide
40 billion USD (90 billion lire) est. yearly profits

Despite formal denials, word has it the Vatican will send an emissary to understand just what goes on in the “miracle” village dedicated to Padre Pio. San Giovanni Rotondo, perennially under construction in the province of Foggia, has been under increasing assault by pilgrims since the beatification of the Capuchin monk in May 1999. Work in progress includes a church, designed by Renzo Piano, big enough for 10,000 people. The Church is keeping an eye of developments -should Pio, a stigmatist with one recognized miracle, be made a saint the numbers will explode.
www.padre-pio.com

The official site, includes a virtual tour of the sanctuary

Holy oil used to baptize babies, in confirmation ceremonies and to administer last rites in 2001-2002 in Turin has a rather unholy provenance– the groves of fugitive Sicilian Mafia baron Bernardo Provenzano. The idea came from Father Luigi Ciotti, head of an umbrella group for 700 antimafia organizations called Gruppo Abele e Libera, as a pledge to fight the Mafia.Ciotti wanted the oil, traditionally consecrated on Holy Thursday to anoint neophytes at Baptism on Easter night, to take on contemporary significance. The oil is produced by a coop, which has taken over the groves confiscated from the Mafia boss who has eluded capture for over three decades. ?1999-2004 zoomata.com

Zoomata is the brainchild of a bilingualjournalist based in Italy who thinks out of the box. This brain is for hire.