Key Element for Evangelization
Now there is an informative Catholic guidebook to this much-heralded and much-worried-about feature film.
A Guide to the Passion is the key element in a collaborative effort of a Catholic Internet portal and a Catholic publisher to seize the opportunity for evangelization that is presented by this cinematic event. “Catholic Passion Outreach” is the brainchild of Tom Allen, editor and president of CatholicExchange.com who worked on the marketing and distribution of The Passion, and Matt Pinto, co-founder of the popular apologetics magazine Envoy and president of Ascension Press, which produces and markets catechetical and adult-education materials.
Together with their respective staffs, they have written a concise, enthusiastic booklet that examines Gibson’s film in a question-and-answer format. Initial questions address concerns about fidelity to the Bible and historical authenticity. For those who may be unfamiliar with the gospel message, many of the answers explain in contemporary language the theological significance of the actions that are depicted.
“As horrific as Jesus’ death was, we need to appreciate a fundamental truth of human existence: authentic love involves sacrifice. Love involves the total giving of self. Love means ‘[laying] down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13). So there is transcendent meaning in sacrifice and suffering.” (From Answer #16)
Scene-by-Scene Analysis
The Guide makes perfectly clear that arguments over whether to blame the Romans or the Sanhedrin miss the point. “To understand who is really responsible for Jesus’ death, the Church says the best place for each of us to look is in the mirror.” Answer #80 goes on to quote perennial Church teaching verbatim, as found in the Catechism (paragraph 598).
The writers do a good job of highlighting and explaining specifically Catholic doctrines, such as the mystery of the Eucharist, the reason why it was instituted during a Passover meal, and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role on Calvary.
Because The Passion is an extremely graphic motion picture about the sufferings of the Word-made-flesh, there are also Q&A’s with a more artistic emphasis which discuss images in the film that may be troubling or enigmatic.
Besides the scene-by-scene analysis, the booklet includes three chapters of solidly Catholic apologetics (for example, “The Case for Christ”), and appendices describing the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries.
Give This Book Away
The Guide to the Passion came off the press a few days before Ash Wednesday, the film’s release date. The booklet is meant to be not only read, but given away. Big discounts are offered to those who purchase large quantities; the low cost will enable lay Catholic associations to distribute it at movie theaters. All profits from the booklet will go toward promoting the film and other evangelization projects.
Catholic Passion Outreach has also designed a publicity program for dioceses and parishes, and has made available free downloadable manuals for small groups who want to discuss the film and the Guide. (Visit www.Evangelization.com.)
Sophisticated audiences who have attended The Passion of The Christ have been stunned or overwhelmed by this powerful work of art. A Guide to the Passion is an impressive and useful resource that can help readers come to grips with the moving experience of viewing the film and understand what it has to say about the Catholic faith.
Michael J. Miller translated the books entitled New Saints and Blesseds of the Catholic Church Vols. 1, 2, 3, and Married Saints and Blesseds for Ignatius Press.
Many Moviegoers will leave The Passion of The Christ with a powerful experience of Jesus' sacrifice but uncertainty about what it all means or what to do next. So be prepared to give them A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions about The Passion of The Christ, published by Catholic Exchange. Visit www.evangelization.com or call 888-488-6789 to order yours right now! Copies of this remarkable book are available for as little as .90 cents each, so call now!
