Jim Caviezel: Under the make-up, a man of Faith (takes stand against abortion)

Asia News ^ | 3-20-04

[truthandlife]

At the center of the controversy surrounding ‘The Passion of the Christ’ stands a peaceful man with a passion for acting, and for his Catholic faith. Jim Caviezel, 34, portrayed Jesus Christ in the blockbuster film directed by Mel Gibson. He was in the Eternal City with his family last weekend, to seek the blessing of the Holy Father.

Playing such a role was not something Jim took lightly, but, like acting in general, is something he felt a ‘vocation’ to do. To be in the film, he said, was a "real spiritual experience." Invited by Father Thomas Williams, of the Catholic religious movement , Legionaries of Christ, Jim and his family, attended a Sunday evening English mass at the Church of San Giovanni Battisti dei Fiorentini, with students of a number of Pontifical Universities in Rome. Following the liturgy, the actor remained in prayer while a group of 35 or so fans and fellow Catholics waited outside to meet the star.

He met the students and others, who were impressed with his quiet modesty, and responded to questions on how to integrate Hollywood acting with one’s religious convictions. He reiterated that while he has spoken for Catholic conferences in the past, he is first and foremost an actor, not a public speaker, and will continue to rebuild culture in that arena. At one point he spoke very pointedly that this generation of young people is vitally needed to confront the scourge of abortion in the world (especially in the United States) and to stand up for the dignity of life. He commented on the importance of fighting evil through the power of the rosary.

“Can we take a picture with you?” some of the bolder young adults requested. “Yeah,” he said with a rare smile, “but it’ll cost you a rosary each!” he added, turning his fame into spiritual profit.

It is known that Mr. Caviezel avoids any roles that compromise his moral standards, and he refuses to take the name of God in vain within any script.

During the filming of ‘The Passion of the Christ’, Jim suffered his own injuries as he portrayed the sufferings of Our Lord. He endured the pain and numbness of hypothermia through hours of film shooting while he hung on the cross, unprotected from the winter elements. Twice he was directly struck during the scourging at the pillar. His right shoulder was dislocated in the wincing scene where Christ’s shoulder was. He was even struck by lightening on the set, but did not suffer any permanent damage. Added to this the social battering he received at the hands of the liberal media, (Gibson warned that this role might have been the end of Jim’s acting career) and the constant questioning of the motive behind the film, with the protests of it being anti-Semitic, Jim accepted it all as his share in the redemptive agony of Christ. In acting the part, Caviezel said to himself: "I don't want people to see me; I just want them to see Jesus." To come to this experience, Caviezel told Zenit, "I began with the rosary, the rosary led me to confession, confession led me to the Mass, every day, and always when I have the Eucharist in my body, I feel more like being in Christ."

Though the debate about the film continues internationally, Mel Gibson's dramatization of Jesus' crucifixion has been a huge box-office success earning an estimated 264 (m) million dollars in the United States and Canada after 19 days in theaters. “If The Passion continues on this trajectory, it's possible for it to surpass Star Wars [1 million] and even Titanic [0.8 million] as the box-office champion of all time," said Paul Dergarabedian of Exhibitor Relations Inc., which tracks film revenue.

It opens in Italy April 7th.

[truthandlife]

'Passion' and pro-life bump

[New Horizon]

“Can we take a picture with you?” some of the bolder young adults requested. “Yeah,” he said with a rare smile, “but it’ll cost you a rosary each!” he added, turning his fame into spiritual profit.

Somehow I like this guy more and more with every article I read on him.

[NewCenturions]

"I began with the rosary, the rosary led me to confession, confession led me to the Mass, every day, and always when I have the Eucharist in my body, I feel more like being in Christ."

Powerful!

[madprof98]

Somehow, I can't see information making it into People or Self.

[NYer]

Jim Caviezel in a private audience with Pope John Paul II

Passion Ping

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[SkyPilot]

This article helps remind me of another thing that this film has accomplished. It has helped to heal the rift between evangelical Protestants and devout Catholics. I know it has, you all may argue differently.

[Guillermo]

If he thought his Hollywood career was over then, just wait till the wackos get a whiff of his pro-life views...

[jocon307]

"If he thought his Hollywood career was over then, just wait till the wackos get a whiff of his pro-life views..."

Yes, one would think that, but remember, Mel Gibson was out of the closet as a religious, anti-abortion, super-conservative Catholic years and years ago. Until the controversies over "The Passion" it never seemed to hurt him. Remember, he won the Oscar for "Braveheart", which I, for one, never thought was going to happen.

[New Horizon]

If he thought his Hollywood career was over then, just wait till the wackos get a whiff of his pro-life views...

I wonder. I think Hollywood will be clamoring to exploit him.

[Aquinasfan]

Somehow, I can't see information making it into People or Self.

LOL!

[VermiciousKnid]

Man, oh man...this guy just keeps getting better and better. He's handsome (and then some), funny (did a GREAT Gibson imitation on Leno), talented, and so straight-and-narrow that I would have LOVED to have brought him home to meet Daddy.

I hope there are lots more nice, good men just like him out there for all the unmarried gals. (I myself am already taken, as is he --- and what a lucky woman Mrs. Caviezel must be!)

You GO, Jim!

Regards,

[xp38]

Mel chose wisely.

[Askel5]

†

[Coleus]

`

[cpforlife.org]

Pro-Life ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and Jim Caviezel PING

Please let me know if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

God bless and protect Jim.

[georgia peach]

This actor was wonderful in "The Thin Red Line" I bet Mel saw him in that movie and hence the" Passion."

[nutmeg]

ping!

[mware]

If he thought his Hollywood career was over then, just wait till the wackos get a whiff of his pro-life views...

There seems to be a pattern in Hollywood of actors who play Jesus having bad luck afterward.

I personally think that Jesus is giving them the chance to carry their own cross. If they want to make money out of protraying him, then Jesus will let them share in his suffering. I think Caviezel understand that and is willingly carrying that cross.

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Does anyone know if Jim and his wife have children? They are so pro-life but I have never heard any kids mentioned.

[apackof2]

Live What I Believe - Russ Lee (Words In Time)

These are the days
For the children of faith
To stand up and be counted
Now is the time
For the light in us to shine
On whoever's around it

One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right
So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need
I'm gonna live what I believe

The world will see God's grace
When we work and we pray
And then love like we mean it
if there's ever been a day
To give ourselves away
Well, I think we're in it

There's a passion deep inside
For my life to testify

Lord, let me be used
As a witness for You
With faith and conviction
You've called me by Your name
And I will not be ashamed

Gonna walk that line
I'm gonna stand for what is right
Hey, it's Jesus that they need

(c) Sparrow Records

[Victoria Delsoul]

It is known that Mr. Caviezel avoids any roles that compromise his moral standards, and he refuses to take the name of God in vain within any script.

Big bump for Jim Caviezel. He's an outstanding actor and a man of integrity.

[nickcarraway]

I don't remember. Maybe he keeps them private.

[MHGinTN]

Indeed! And a truly brave man, to take on such a role, to raise Christ up for us all to see anew.

[jwalsh07]

Bumping for Jesus, Jim and Life.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Amen!

Good to see you, Marvin.

[RepubMommy]

I have to agree, he is in a class by himself in Hollyweird out there.

[Clemenza]

There seems to be a pattern in Hollywood of actors who play Jesus having bad luck afterward.

Jeffrey Hunter died young. Max Von Sydow wound up as Brewmeister Schmidt in Strange Brew. I think you are correct...

[MEGoody]

"It has helped to heal the rift between evangelical Protestants and devout Catholics."

In some cases, yes. But I guess we will always have the rabid anti-somethings on either side of the fence.