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“Barrabas” actor says Passion filming led to his conversion
Catholic News Agency ^ | March 9, 2005

Posted on 03/10/2005 7:06:00 AM PST by NYer

Madrid, Mar. 09, 2005 (CNA) - The Archdiocese of Madrid’s publication “Alpha and Omega” publised an article in its latest edition on the testimony of the actor who played Barrabas in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” who says he experienced a profound conversion while making the movie.

Pedro Sarubbi, in an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, said he had wanted to play St. Peter but Gibson “had already chosen the actors based on their resemblance to the different characters as portrayed in the paintings of Caravaggio and other masters.”  “As Barrabas, Gibson told me to avoid looking at Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus, until the very scene in which we were to appear together.  ‘Barrabas is like a ferocious dog,’ he told me, ‘but at one moment he becomes a puppy: when he meets the Son of God and is saved.  I want your look to be that of somebody seeing Jesus for the first time’.  I did as he said, and when our eyes met I felt a sort of surge.  It was like I was really seeing Jesus.  I had never experienced such a thing in all my years of acting,” he stated.

Sarubbi said “The Passion” “was not only a professional, but above all a human experience.  I am not embarrassed to say that during the filming I had a conversion.  All of the actors who took part changed a little bit after this experience, but I have learned much more from the film than from any conference.”

The actor said his spiritual search “began many years ago and took me around the world.  I have done extensive anthropological research, as a man and as an actor.  I have been instructed in the martial arts...I lived in a Tibetan monastery for six months with a vow of silence. I have practiced meditation in India, I have lived in the Amazon.  I have reached the final goal of this search in Jesus.” 

Now, he went on, “I do everything possible so that those eyes continue to be important for me.  My family is first above all, and I also play a clown for orphaned children.  On the other hand I have my work.  I teach businessman how to act in public. I teach in various acting schools.  I use what I call the warrior-priest-clown method.  In life you have to be strong, honest, spiritual and funny.”

Although Sarubbi has traveled around the world, he is most at home on his farm on the outskirts of Milan, with his wife and four children, and dozens of animals.


TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; General Discusssion; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: convert; thepassion
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To: Northern Yankee

Bwahahahaha, yeah sure.


41 posted on 03/10/2005 7:12:21 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: annalex
Ideally, a Christian is in a state of perpetual conversion as long as he lives.

Indeed.

42 posted on 03/10/2005 7:34:00 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (Tagline schmagline.)
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To: NYer
Hmm.

Bar Abba=Son of the father. Wasn't he Jesus too? Were they one and the same? Passover privilege? By Romans?

Hmm.

43 posted on 03/10/2005 7:38:11 PM PST by onedoug
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To: Northern Yankee; Victoria Delsoul
OK you two...*grins*

Ooops, we're busted! *G*

They have a great picture of Mel sitting next to Jesus (Jim C.) in the Pretorium. A heck of a shot.

Okay, I need to get that book. I was in the midst of pre-ordering it a week or two ago, but I got distracted (and not many things distract me from anything Mel does).

They talk extensively about the shot when the cross is dropped and Jesus holds it up in mid-air. The miracle is for Mary Magdalene,so she doesn't lose hope. According to the author, it actually has roots from the writings of a seventeenth century nun, Mary of Agreda.

I did however order from TAN Books (and just received the other day), the "Mystical City of God" about Mary of Agreda's writings.

Not losing hope. Boy, now there's a message. I'll let you know how the book goes.

44 posted on 03/10/2005 7:40:17 PM PST by kstewskis ("Tolerance is what happens when one loses their principles"....Fr. A Saenz.)
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To: topcat54

Maybe he was converted to James Caviezelism.


45 posted on 03/10/2005 7:44:11 PM PST by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
You are having fun tonight, aren't you?

On a sad note, my uncle Joe died a few days ago, so we will once again be heading to Milwaukee for a funeral on Saturday. (We'll leave tomorrow night...)

Sigh... that time in our lives when the aunts and uncles start passing on into the next life.

I am so thankful that they all were so devout in their faith.

46 posted on 03/10/2005 8:34:49 PM PST by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier!)
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To: kstewskis
Never lose hope!

And get Inside The Passion. You won't regret it. So much great insight.

He talks about the first time Jim Caveziel stepped out of his trailer with the make up of the scourging... There was an audible gasp from those on the set. Some just backed away completely.

Wow!

Mel has a great forward to the book, and also collaborated with Father John in the writing of the book.

The book is put out by Asension Press, but you should be able to find it.

They were right in front of the store when I walked in, next to other items from The Passion.

Have a great night, and good luck finding it.

47 posted on 03/10/2005 8:41:19 PM PST by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier!)
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To: Northern Yankee
Sorry to hear about your uncle, Jay.

May he rest in peace.

48 posted on 03/11/2005 7:26:30 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Sorry to hear about your uncle, Jay.

May he rest in peace.

Thanks... just got back.

I'll tell you more about it later when I have some time.

49 posted on 03/12/2005 6:20:40 PM PST by Northern Yankee (Freedom Needs A Soldier!)
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To: Salvation

Barabbas. The prisoner released in exchange for Jesus.
Barnabas, son of encouragement, wasn't on the biblical scene until after St. Paul's converstion.


50 posted on 03/12/2005 6:24:52 PM PST by madison10
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