Local News
Youth News: Christine Gryczan on The Passion of the Christ
Published: April 22, 2004
When I saw “The Passion of the Christ,” the movie took me aback. I watched the whole movie and I wouldn’t let myself look away from any part.
I had seen previews on TV, and at XLT Northside I also saw the trailer that director Mel Gibson made of the movie. I remember meeting Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Jesus, on the same night. He spoke about his faith life and making the movie, and it made me so interested in seeing the movie and seeing the things he was talking about.
I knew what the scourging would look like just from seeing the trailers. I forced myself not to cry during the scourging, although I was numb from all the feelings that were rushing through my head. When the crucifixion began, I couldn’t control the emotions. I was bawling, and I felt different things in my mind.
After the movie, I started looking at the crucifix differently. I wear a ring of a crucifix and I look at it every morning when I put it on. The movie makes me look at Mass so differently and appreciate the homilies the priests give.
The movie is moving to me as a Catholic and as a Christian.
Gibson portrayed the story of the Gospels very well. Everyone who knows the story should see the movie. In my opinion, people who don’t at least have an idea about the crucifixion would not understand the points of the movie and what it is all about.
Christine Gryczan, Sophomore
