Spring Break
'Passion' actor speaks at Grotto
Wheaton, Sarah
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: News
Students filled the Grotto area and spilled into the adjoining sidewalks Thursday to hear Jim Caviezel, star of "The Passion of the Christ," say the rosary and speak about his faith.
Wearing a Notre Dame letterman jacket, Caviezel said he wanted to come to Notre Dame after he heard about Charlie Weis granting Montana Mazurkiewicz's dying wish to call the first play in the Washington game. By using 10-year-old Montana's call, Caviezel said Weis "made an act of faith" - a theme used throughout his speech.
Caviezel said his experience playing Jesus Christ in the movie gave him "a glimpse of what it means to be forsaken, rejected and seen as a thing despised."
He described the pain he felt when he was accidentally whipped twice while filming a scene and when his shoulder was dislocated while carrying the cross. He said he suffered pneumonia, a lung infection, hypothermia and two lightening strikes while filming - all of which forced him "into the arms of my God."
Caviezel emphasized his calling to be an actor, which is something he has felt since his youth.
"God used me as his instrument," he said. "Anything good about the movie came from the fasting, the deep prayer and the daily Mass."
In his fervent speech, Caviezel disparaged the sin and indifference he sees in today's world.
"I came here to Notre Dame to tell you students to have the courage to step into this pagan world and shamelessly express your faith in public," he said. "We are in a more dangerous war now than ever before ... our world is entrenched in sin."
He also exhorted students to make an act of faith and "give Jesus the best seat" in their stadium.
Caviezel spoke about controversial topics including abortion. While he said he wasn't here to antagonize pro-choice Catholics, he asked, "Do you think Our Lady is pro-choice?"
He implored students to look at the people they could potentially convert, and said the "gleaming souls" changed because of the film were worth more than any statuette.
Wearing a Notre Dame letterman jacket, Caviezel said he wanted to come to Notre Dame after he heard about Charlie Weis granting Montana Mazurkiewicz's dying wish to call the first play in the Washington game. By using 10-year-old Montana's call, Caviezel said Weis "made an act of faith" - a theme used throughout his speech.
Caviezel said his experience playing Jesus Christ in the movie gave him "a glimpse of what it means to be forsaken, rejected and seen as a thing despised."
He described the pain he felt when he was accidentally whipped twice while filming a scene and when his shoulder was dislocated while carrying the cross. He said he suffered pneumonia, a lung infection, hypothermia and two lightening strikes while filming - all of which forced him "into the arms of my God."
Caviezel emphasized his calling to be an actor, which is something he has felt since his youth.
"God used me as his instrument," he said. "Anything good about the movie came from the fasting, the deep prayer and the daily Mass."
In his fervent speech, Caviezel disparaged the sin and indifference he sees in today's world.
"I came here to Notre Dame to tell you students to have the courage to step into this pagan world and shamelessly express your faith in public," he said. "We are in a more dangerous war now than ever before ... our world is entrenched in sin."
He also exhorted students to make an act of faith and "give Jesus the best seat" in their stadium.
Caviezel spoke about controversial topics including abortion. While he said he wasn't here to antagonize pro-choice Catholics, he asked, "Do you think Our Lady is pro-choice?"
He implored students to look at the people they could potentially convert, and said the "gleaming souls" changed because of the film were worth more than any statuette.