I have long had a special place in my heart for actor Mickey Rourke. Back in 1989, he starred in what I think is the best movie on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, "Francesco." With the Academy Awards this week, there was a lot of coverage of his "comeback" but here is an interesting article where he credits his Catholic faith for getting him through this tough time.
Hollywood star Mickey Rourke has told a British magazine that his strong commitment to his Catholic faith has saved him from slipping back into his formerly chaotic lifestyle.
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Catholic News Agency reports that he told Female First magazine that he ensures he talks to his priest as often as possible, and the release of being able to offload his problems prevents him from having a mental "explosion".
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He says, "I've talked to my priest a lot. I used to have to call him or the shrink when there was an explosion, because I was really good at not talking to anybody until there was an explosion.
"My priest is this cool Italian from New York. We go down to his basement and he opens the wine. We smoke a cigarette and I have my confession. He sends me upstairs to do my Hail Mary's. I mean, I'm no Holy Joe, but I have a strong belief."
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Rourke revealed that he came close to committing suicide during his eight year addiction battle in a comment to Now Magazine, a British Gossip paper.
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The 'Nine 1/2 Weeks' star, who suffered addictions to drugs and alcohol, said he was only saved from shooting himself in the head because of his faith in God.
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He said: "If I wasn't Catholic I would have blown my brains out. I would pray to God. I would say 'Please can you send me just a little bit of daylight.'"
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Mickey Rourke tried to commit suicide - but was saved at the eleventh hour by a priest."He talked me out of it and we started meeting. His name is Father Pete and he lives in New York. Father Pete put me back on the right track," the actor concluded.
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