Resources for Viewing The Passion of the Christ

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ opened in movie theaters across the country on February 25, 2004, on Ash Wednesday and is now available on DVD. Because of the movie's R rating and its graphic depiction of Christ's crucifixion, youth group leaders should exercise caution when deciding whether to use this film with young people. Youth group leaders should also find out whether their diocese requires permission forms for this kind of movie. The following resources are designed to help youth group leaders decide whether to allow a youth group to see the movie and to give young people some things to think about before seeing it. The resources also offer some ideas for follow-up with the young people after seeing the movie.

• Controversy has surrounded this film, even before its release. One debate that has ensued is the film's depiction of the responsibility of the Jews in Jesus' crucifixion. The following links explore this issue:

  Other Links:

  Who Killed Jesus? an article by Jon Meacham provided by MSNBC

  Bishops' Committee Issues Collection of Documents on `The Bible, The Jews, and The Death of Jesus' provided by USCCB

  
  

   

• Another concern is realistic depiction of the horrible cruelity or bloody violence Jesus suffered. This may be too much for some people to deal with, especially younger people. Many youth leaders see the movie as an opportunity to evangelize youth, yet others are hesitant to take youth to see the film. The following links may provide some guidance for youth leaders in making that decision.

  SMP Links:

  Graphic Images of Christ's Passion in Art an article by Eileen Daily

  Resources for Parents Who Want to View The Passion of the Christ With Their Teenage Children by Robert Feduccia

  Other Links:

  "What's a Youth Worker to Do with The Passion?" an article written by Doug Clark and provided by Youth Specialties

  Trailers of "The Passion of the Christ"

   

• For those who do decide to show the film to young people, the following resources offer ideas for preparing the youth to see the film and for helping them debrief and make the most of the experience afterwards.

  SMP Links:

  Prayers for Reflecting on Christ's Passion by Steven McGlaun

  Gethsemane a prayer activity by Nancy Marrocco

  Stations of the Cross by Students an article and activity by Christine Stanoch, OSF

  An Easter Reflection an article by Dennis Pyles, RSCJ

  Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent an activity by Carole Goodwin and Marilyn Kielbasa

  The Final Beginning: Ascension and Pentecost by Marilyn Kielbasa

  Other Links:

  Scene-by-Scene 'Passion' Reference Guide

  The Passion of the Christ a site provided by the Daughters of Saint Paul

  Bishop's Family Guide for Using Media provided by USCCB

   

• Additional resources for both young people and adults for long-term follow-up.

  SMP Links:

  In Touch with the Word: Lectionary-Based Prayer Reflections for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter

  Lectionary-Based Gospel Dramas for Lent and the Easter Triduum

  Stations for Teens