Gibson pays surprise visit to Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home

Published: 2004-04-23

HARTFORD, Conn. (CNS) -- During a surprise visit, Mel Gibson signed autographs, ate lunch and posed for photos with employees and residents at the St. Joseph Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Louisville, Ky. He also gave a private screening of his film, "The Passion of the Christ," left a donation and received a ceramic gift to take home. Mother Mary Anthony, the mother superior, "was standing at the front door ... and Mel Gibson walks in. And thankfully, Mother recognized him," Sister Gonzague, administrator, said in a telephone interview with The Catholic Transcript, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Hartford. News of the visit spread quickly through communities of Little Sisters of the Poor, who also run a residence in the Hartford Archdiocese. Just days before Gibson's March 31 stop in Louisville, his production company, Icon Productions, called the home to offer a special screening of the "Passion" for shut-ins who otherwise would not get a chance to see it, Sister Gonzague said.

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