A Migrant’s Masterpiece: The LIfe & Legacy of Patrick Flores.

A MIGRANT’S MASTERPIECE: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PATRICK FLORES documents the extraordinary life and legacy of Patrick Flores, the first Mexican American in the history of the Catholic Church to be appointed bishop. Called the “Mariachi Priest” because of his love of Mexican music, Flores broke barriers within the Catholic Church and society at large, giving voice to the poor and disenfranchised. His work for social justice made him one of the early civil rights leaders for Mexican Americans throughout the United States. The one-hour film airs in April 2008 (check local listings) on PBS.

Produced and directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Hector Galán, A MIGRANT’S MASTERPIECE is an inspirational and compelling film about the man who rose to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Filmed during the last month before his retirement as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, the documentary incorporates rare footage, personal archives and intimate interviews to bring to life a story that spans more than 80 years. The early 1920s in rural Texas, World War II, the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the Vietnam War and the sweeping changes of Vatican II form the backdrop to this exciting and fast-paced journey. Highlights of the film include his jubilant ordination as the first Mexican-American bishop in the Catholic Church, the historic visit by Pope John Paul II to San Antonio and Flores‚ unprecedented trip as one of the first American Catholic prelates allowed to set foot in Castro’s Cuba. An original music score by Michael Ramos reflects the music and culture of the historical time periods featured in the film.

“This film is really the larger story of the Mexican-American experience in the United States,” says filmmaker Galán, who has covered Latino history and culture in many of his documentaries for PBS. “I see a lot of my own history in Patrick‚s life that mirrors what many Mexican-American families had to endure.”