Moving picture

Once in awhile, a film comes along that strikes a chord in the hearts of South Philadelphians.

Back in 1976, Rocky was the champ. Earlier this year, local moviegoers were swept away by The Passion of the Christ.

Mary Ellen Smith believes she could predict the next big movie — if only it would come here.

Smith, a King of Peace parishioner, wants to convince filmmakers that they would find a Philly audience for the independent religious movie Th�r�se: The Story of Saint Th�r�se of Lisieux. She has almost single-handedly formed a grassroots coalition to gain support for the film’s local release.

Born Th�r�se Martin in 1873, the future saint received her calling after being cured of a mysterious childhood illness. As a teenager, she begged to join the convent despite her tender age. Th�r�se got her wish and became a revered Carmelite nun, known for small daily sacrifices rather than great deeds. She was just 24 when she died, but left behind an autobiography, The Story of a Soul, that has touched millions of Catholics. Considered one of the most popular saints of modern times, Th�r�se Martin was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

The film Th�r�se is now in limited release, with a small number of exclusive screenings around the country. The movie is set for wider release in select cities on Oct. 1.

And that’s where Smith comes in.

"I’m trying to get her life story to the people. Her love and passion are strong attributes for others to follow," said Smith, of the 2000 block of Newkirk Street.

Smith is one of about 120 registered volunteers worldwide working directly with the producers of the film to drum up support. For several months, she has contacted businesses and churches across the area, finding that St. Th�r�se’s popularity is opening doors. So far, she has collected about 4,000 signatures on a petition to bring the film to Philadelphia.

Smith suggests a parallel between Th�r�se and another religious film that found a wide audience.

"I think Th�r�se is a wonderful follow-up to Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ," she said. "It’s a beautiful story."

The film’s director, Leonardo Defilippis, has been impressed by Smith’s hard work to bring Th�r�se to town.

"This movement is taken seriously and with the passion and love that Th�r�se deserves," he said, adding that the petition drive "will secure the launch of the film in Philadelphia and possibly be the location for the world premiere."

Smith’s own connection to St. Th�r�se began in 1994 after she slipped on ice and broke her wrist.

"I was out of work for months and had to go through tough physical therapy," she said. After Smith’s cast came off, doctors told her that she was in the early stages of RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), a rare and devastating nerve disorder. Smith was even in danger of losing her arm.

Frightened by the diagnosis, Smith found solace in St. Th�r�se after her daughter gave her a healing card of the saint.

"I prayed to St. Th�r�se every day and almost a year later, the doctor informed me that my RSD had gone away," said Smith. The doctor even used the word "miracle" to describe the recovery, which Smith believes is evidence that her prayers were answered.

"Whenever I get the sign of a rose, I believe that St. Th�r�se is listening to me," Smith said.

St. Th�r�se was known as the "Little Flower" — and inspiration behind the name of the Catholic high school in Juniata Park — and her symbol of a rose is said to appear every time she answers prayers.

Betty Fabrico, a friend of Smith’s, believes the saint was listening to her after she was stricken with an undiagnosed stomach ailment.

Fabrico, of the 1100 block of Durfor Street, was in pain and the medical bills were piling up. She didn’t know where to turn until Smith offered her the novena rose prayer of St. Th�r�se — the same one Smith used during her own ordeal. Fabrico prayed daily to the saint and made a full recovery

Smith and Fabrico make frequent trips to the Carmelite Monastery on 66th Avenue and Old York Road, which houses a large bronze statue of St. Th�r�se.

"I wanted to go to church and thank St. Th�r�se. She’s helped answer my prayers," said Fabrico, who credits the saint for bringing her back to Catholicism.

Smith believes St. Th�r�se can touch others’ lives, so she continues pounding the pavement to spread the word. She said the St. Jude Shop and other businesses along Passyunk Avenue have helped immensely by collecting signatures for her petition. Smith also has plugged the movie at St. Edmond, St. Monica, Stella Maris, St. Richard, Epiphany and Mount Carmel, as well as parishes outside South Philly.

Smith has spoken to parishioners at her church, King of Peace, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Next month, she will make an appearance at St. Gabriel.

Her drive has made an impression on her pastor, the Rev. Thomas Rossi.

"The movement is the devotion of Mary Ellen. It’s not just King of Peace," he said. "She has gone to many other businesses and churches to spread the word."

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For more information on the film or how to become a volunteer, visit www.theresemovie.com.