Star of 'Passion' film challenges college students to 'be saints'

Published: 2004-01-22

DENVER (CNS) -- A private screening of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" and a keynote speech by actor Jim Caviezel, the movie's star, were among the highlights of the national leadership conference of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS, held in Denver Jan. 16-18. The sixth annual conference drew nearly 1,400 students, FOCUS missionaries and campus ministers from colleges across America for the three-day event. Jonathan Reyes, vice president for academic affairs at Christendom College in Front Royal, Va., ignited the crowd as he challenged them with his opening remarks Jan. 16. "Who will you serve? Christ or his enemy? If you give all to your Master, you will reign with him," he assured them. Later that evening, conference participants viewed the movie "The Passion of the Christ." It was the largest private screening of the picture to date, according to FOCUS officials.

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