Religion And Christianity In Bless Me Ultima

There are major contrasts behind the different views of curanderismo and brujería in 1940s New Mexico. Curanderismo, a traditional holistic Mexican healing system, is highlighted in the 2013 film Bless Me Ultima. The film’s director, Carl Franklin portrays both sides of religion and spirituality through the Catholic Church and the pre-Christian natural beliefs. The social-cultural conflicts between the two are underscored through the characterization of a curandera, Ultima in the 2013 film, Bless Me Ultima.
The doctrine of the Catholic Church relies on the fear installed in its people to appeal to religious duty. For example, upon arriving late to church, Florence is berated by Father Byrnes. He is made to hold his arms out like Christ for the duration of the service in penance for his mistake (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). This is a relatively strict and demeaning. Overall, the Catholic Church is controlled by a strict

set of rules. There is a sense of fear surrounding the church, especially when it comes to witchcraft or, brujería. Witchcraft is associated with the devil and inside of Catholic beliefs, that is bad. And the last thing the Catholics want are there children to be associated with Satan. The Church breeds ideals that are cannot be understood by children yet. Additionally, on the playground Antonio’s friends make him play priest in which each confess their sins to him. When Florence refuses, the kids begin to yell that he will burn in hell (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). There is no grey area, as depicted in the film. The church views in black and white, one believes, or one ends up in hell.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum comes from Ultima, a spiritual healer. She uses nature and the earth to heal those around her. She takes Antonio on an eye opening and spiritual journey. They have a connection with one another as he is the last child she helped birth (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). She teaches him the ways of nature and how to utilize and be respectful to the environment surrounding him. This spirituality is open to interpretation and follows the ideal to go within yourself to create a better life for all. The practice of naturalistic healing is through being in tune with the world. It is the discovering of one’s journey, as Antonio repeats to his teacher, a man finds his own destiny in time (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). destiny.
The main difference of witchcraft and spiritualism can be highlighted in the film with Antiono’s uncle, Lucas.

Uncle Lucas is suffering from a curse placed on him by the daughters of Tenorio. They women are highlighted to be witches dabbling in dark magic; specifically, animal sacrifice (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). This sort of negative energy embodies the ideals of ‘evil.’ When Uncle Lucas watches the women as they do their sacrifice, he makes eye contact with one of the girls and is cursed. Ultima leaves with Antonio in the hopes to reverse the curse placed upon his uncle (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). Through natural herbs and remedies, the uncle coughs up a green, living organism. He heals quickly as Ultima removes the curse from his body. But just as quickly as she was welcomed to the home, she was shunned again (Franklin, “Bless Me Ultima”). Ultima is wanted when it is helpful to whom it concerns, and even though she has a different approach to this type of spirituality (Curanderismo) she is still looked down upon by the Catholic

people.

Overall, Bless Me Ultima emphasizes several aspects between the social-cultural and religious differences for 1940s New Mexico. While the Catholic church may hold strict values, and illustrates fear as a motivational tool for worship, Ultima highlights the wholesome aspects of spirituality. This revolves around the appreciation of nature and looking within oneself to find meaning. Through the doctrine of the Catholic Church and the perception of Ultima by the local people, director Carl Franklin depicts both sides of spirituality.