Passion of the Christ

[childofmary1143]

Having read many people post their opinions on private revelation, I was wondering how they felt when Mel Gibson used some of the private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich in his movie The Passion of the Christ?

Would you have used those private revelations as details for a movie on Our Lord’s Passion?

 

[KephasAugustine]

Having read many people post their opinions on private revelation, I was wondering how they felt when Mel Gibson used some of the private revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich in his movie The Passion of the Christ?

Would you have used those private revelations as details for a movie on Our Lord’s Passion?

If the private revelations are Church approved, I don’t see the problem…but I don’t know that they are.

Sorry for my useless response.

 

[LilyM]

Why not, if it’s done openly as it was in Mel Gibson’s movie? People can appreciate it for what it is and take it for what it is.

The movie is very clearly stated in the opening credits to be based on the work of Emmerich, and anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Gospels knows it’s not simply based on them. Jesus falling? Veronica? Flashbacks to Jesus being a carpenter in Nazareth when there is no mention in the Gospels that He was any such thing?

It’s obvious that it goes well beyond the Gospels, and equally obvious what it is based on, so I see no problem with it.

 

[scylla]

I see no problem with it including pious tradition and private revelation. as it all is part of our faith. It is clearly written from the Catholic tradition and that is what makes it such a rich film, as it incorporates the reflection of the faith over the centuries.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[GerardP]

The Definitive Edition has excellent theological commentary from Mel Gibson, Fr. John Bartunek, Fr. William Fulco and Gerry Matatics.

Matatics is extremely impressive in the number of excellent points he brings out. He brings out the symbolism inherent in both the film as Mel Gibson envisioned it and also the Scriptural and traditional references.

There are no polemics and no Church politics, (inter-religious politics are mentioned) but it is excellent Catholic Apologetics.

 

[childofmary1143]

The Definitive Edition has excellent theological commentary from Mel Gibson, Fr. John Bartunek, Fr. William Fulco and Gerry Matatics.

Matatics is extremely impressive in the number of excellent points he brings out. He brings out the symbolism inherent in both the film as Mel Gibson envisioned it and also the Scriptural and traditional references.

There are no polemics and no Church politics, (inter-religious politics are mentioned) but it is excellent Catholic Apologetics.

Wow Gerry Matatics eh? I used to listen to his excellent apologetics in the early 90s but then recently found out that he’s a sedevacantist by visiting his own website.

 

[GerardP]

Wow Gerry Matatics eh? I used to listen to his excellent apologetics in the early 90s but then recently found out that he’s a sedevacantist by visiting his own website.

Even if you and I disagree with his conclusions about sedevacantism, his other talks and lectures are still very valuable. And in the commentary, he is very strongly pointing out the primacy of Peter among the Apostles as the first Pope.

So, there’s nothing heterodox or even controversial for Catholics in the commentary.

 

[latinmasslover]

Wow Gerry Matatics eh? I used to listen to his excellent apologetics in the early 90s but then recently found out that he’s a sedevacantist by visiting his own website.

He didn’t go that far, did he?!

Oh, and the movie was great. I love that Mel Gibson used private revelation…it’s so much more detailed, and the source is reliable.

 

[Nancyannheath]

I would not doubt that perhaps the Holy Spirit inspired Mel Gibson to many details of that movie. Why are we tearing it apart? The flashback of Jesus as a carpenter being “human” with his mother? The hurt look on his face when he is explaining to Peter that Peter will deny him 3 times before the cock crows? The movie brings us to face Holy Thursday and Good Friday in a way that puts us “there right now” and is a wonderful tool for meditation for the Triduum. You are looking for holes/errors and I dont see any that apply to the purpose of this movie, to bring us closer to Jesus, his Passion and placing all of us in a good state of mind and emotion for prayer and reflection for the upcoming most Holy of Holy days. It is not a 'DOCUMENTARY" it is a movie, AND Pope John Paul II favored it. He told the actor when he met him that “it is as it was” I wish I could give you an exact refernce to that statement (which magazine, news article, etc) If I find it, I will reference the quote from our beloved Pope…

 

[lizaanne]

The Definitive Edition has excellent theological commentary from Mel Gibson, Fr. John Bartunek, Fr. William Fulco and Gerry Matatics.

Matatics is extremely impressive in the number of excellent points he brings out. He brings out the symbolism inherent in both the film as Mel Gibson envisioned it and also the Scriptural and traditional references.

There are no polemics and no Church politics, (inter-religious politics are mentioned) but it is excellent Catholic Apologetics.

Ok - now you’ve done it – I’m going to have to buy a new copy of the film now!!!

~Liza

 

[sphilomena]

Some of it could be called “poetic license”. However, I have read the 2 volume work of Emmerich’s life and revelations and it is awesome (Tan Books). She is declared “venerable” by the Church, if I remember correctly, and was an amazing mystic. Much of what she experienced mystically points to our time. There should be no problem with using material from her writings.

 

[childofmary1143]

Some of it could be called “poetic license”. However, I have read the 2 volume work of Emmerich’s life and revelations and it is awesome (Tan Books). She is declared “venerable” by the Church, if I remember correctly, and was an amazing mystic. Much of what she experienced mystically points to our time. There should be no problem with using material from her writings.

Let me state my opinion here. I have absolutely NO problem with Mel Gibson using the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich.

I like reading approved private revelations and even some not yet approved ones.

However, one thing I have really learned on here at Catholic forums is that some people really discourage belief in APPROVED private revelations. E.g. Fatima

To my knowledge, Anne Catherine Emmerich’s visions, aren’t approved and since it is public knowledge that he used her visions in a movie, how that would react to some Catholics on here.

I remember one thread on here where an alleged private revelation had the message that communion on the hand is not good and people were saying that couldn’t be from God as it would go against church teaching or practice (even though its an indult). Then in another section here, you had Msgr. Ranjinth say basically the SAME thing and nobody questioned his Catholicism. What gives??

 

[Zooey]

I actually bought Sister Emmerich’s book, specifically because I knew that it was the source Gibson used for the movie…It is a very interesting (& inspiring) read.
It is not as though that her visions were somehow “snuck in” to the movie. She has been openly acknowledged as having been a major inspiration for The Passion film.
Every book about Christ (or for that matter, any historical personage) is going to, of necessity, include some material from somewhere, other than the Gospel records, in order to have a smooth moving narrative…As such a source, the meditations of a devout believer such as Sr Emmerich are surely a better choice than the fevered imaginations of a group of writers who have never even read the NT…So, just on those grounds alone, I think her book was a good choice.

Now, if someone were going to argue that, somehow, the movie is a better source of knowledge than the Bible, **that **would be a major, problem…
Mel Gibson, in interviews has pointed out that the real source of the story–the Scriptures-- is:thumbsup: “readily available”.