It has been a very long time - still remember the black and white films starring Don Camillo (the village priest) and Peppone (the communist mayor).
Recently I discovered the (in German) films via YouTube! It is required watching of course!!
Then I came across the books which have at long last been translated into English! Thanks to Amazon and a credit card and international posting (which given recent Covid19 mailings IS indeed remarkable) they arrived here in less then 7 days!! yussss
The books themselves are a collection of stories - each duly published in the news paper way back in 1946 - short stories that can stand on their own. The films took all of them and made them into a long storybook - weaving them through time and place.
The thing that always has attracted me is that at times Don Camillo has "conversations" with Christ on the Cross as well as Mary (you know - the mother of said Jesus)!! The dialogue is thoughtful and at times thought provoking.
"When you share your last crust of bread with a beggar, you mustn’t behave as if you were throwing a bone to a dog. You must give humbly, and thank him for allowing you to have a part in his hunger.”
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“It is right to hate sin, but not to hate the sinner.”
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“No, Don Camillo; you didn’t exactly steal it. Peppone had two cigars in his pocket. Peppone is a Communist. He believes in sharing things. By skillfully relieving him of one cigar, you only took your fair share.”
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“When God gives you an inch, don’t take a mile.”
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"When things do not go well, finding a way of making them go better always seems less important than finding someone to take the blame." <----- love this one - so true even nowadays!!!
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As he passed by the altar, the Lord frowned down at him.
"Lord," said Don Camillo, "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." "Don Camillo," said the Lord, "for some time now you've been skating on thin ice." "With God's help, no ice is too thin," said Don Camillo.
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Don Camillo hastily put on the leather harness with the support for the foot of the cross, lifted the enormous crucifix from the altar and adjusted it in the socket. Then he sighed: "All the same, they need not have made this Cross quite so heavy." "You're telling Me!" replied the Lord smiling. "I had to carry it all the way up on that hill and I never had shoulders such as yours."
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“What should I do?” Don Camillo had inquired.
“Anoint your back with a little oil beaten up in water and hold your tongue,” the Lord had replied from above the altar. “We must forgive those who offend us. That is the rule.” “Very true, Lord,” agreed Don Camillo, “but on this occasion we are discussing blows, not offenses.”
“And what do you mean by that? Surely you are not trying to tell me that injuries done to the body are more painful than those aimed at the spirit?”
“I see your point, Lord. But You should also bear in mind that in the beating of me, who am Your minister, an injury has been done to Yourself also. I am really more concerned on Your behalf than on my own.”
“And was I not a greater minister of God than you are? And did I not forgive those who nailed me to the Cross?” 
“There is never any use in arguing with You!” Don Camillo had exclaimed. “You are always in the right. Your will be done. We must forgive. All the same, don't forget that if these ruffians, encouraged by my silence, should crack my skull, the responsibility will lie with You. I could cite several passages from the Old Testament. . . .”
“Don Camillo, are you proposing to instruct me in the Old Testament? As for this business, I assume full responsibility.
Moreover, strictly between Ourselves, the beating has done you no harm. It may teach you let politics alone in my house.”
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Jesus: "Sie spricht mit meiner Mutter" (she speaks with my Mother)
Don Camillo: "Die Ärmste!" (Poor Mary)
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The underlying message within the many stories told - is that compassion and practicality are far better than religious or political dogmatism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Camillo_and_Peppone
Have fun!
