Melanie and I just finished watching the new vocations video from the USCCB called “Fishers of Men.” I know, I know, can anything good come from the USCCB? (Someone once asked if anything good can come from Nazareth.)
But this is good. Part of the reason may be that the filmmakers told the bishops, “You be bishops, and let us be the filmmakers.” I have to say it was most impressive. (You can watch it online at the link above or directly at this link.)
The film has high production values and the director knows his audience. It’s made for young men so it’s fast-paced, there’s nothing that drags. There’s high energy throughout. It also offers a vision of the priesthood that appeals to any red-blooded American man. It’s a calling to be a hero, to face a challenge.
The most effective was the re-creation of a priest responding to an accident scene. The filmmaker knows the language of heroic action films. The way he shows the priest reach for his glove box for his stole, confident and intense. The way he gets out of his car, rising into the camera shot. The way he pushes through the crowd and takes command, assured of his role. Even to how he stops to talk to the young boy who looks up to him. You could replace the priest with Superman without too much to jar you.
Also, the use of the fishermen was great. Of course we have the Gospel image of the apostles as fishermen who are made fishers of men, but the image is iconic. These aren’t a couple of old geezers out on the lake trolling for bass. These are the fishermen of “A Perfect Storm,” men out on the sea who engage in one of the world’s most dangerous professions. What a great image to call to mind when one thinks of a priest.
I think every vocations office should buy a whole bunch and send them out to every parish. And everyone in the parish should see it, not just young men who might be discerning a vocation.
This video is one step to help heal the image of the priesthood that was so badly disfigured by The Scandal. Perhaps soon the vast majority of good priests can once again be looked upon with respect and not fear and shame. I think this video will help that day.
Grassroots Films regularly works directly with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (aka Fr. Benedict Groeschel), hence the fidelity and true portayal of the masculine priesthood.
The man in the video who plays the priest rushing to the accident seen is a brother with the Friars of the Renewal—I know him personally. He was a fellow postulant with me while I was there discerning religious life.
I’m fairly certain that some of the men playing the role of an apostle are also Friars of the Renewal.
I’m a firm believer that our efforts at vocations discernment have to appeal to the generation of men who are the pool we’re choosing from. I also think we need to present the priesthood as a manly pursuit, a challenge and a life-changing event.
On the one hand, the Blues Brothers is a little dated, but on the other it’s a pop culture reference many men will get. And it encompasses the challenge aspect.
Most men want to be heroes. They want to feel like they’re doing something that makes a difference. Fatherhood does that. Spiritual fatherhood should be no different.
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Fishers of Men
Melanie and I just finished watching the new vocations video from the USCCB called “Fishers of Men.” I know, I know, can anything good come from the USCCB? (Someone once asked if anything good can come from Nazareth.)
But this is good. Part of the reason may be that the filmmakers told the bishops, “You be bishops, and let us be the filmmakers.” I have to say it was most impressive. (You can watch it online at the link above or directly at this link.)
The film has high production values and the director knows his audience. It’s made for young men so it’s fast-paced, there’s nothing that drags. There’s high energy throughout. It also offers a vision of the priesthood that appeals to any red-blooded American man. It’s a calling to be a hero, to face a challenge.
Priest as superhero
Technorati Tags:Catholic, movies, priesthood, vocation
The most effective was the re-creation of a priest responding to an accident scene. The filmmaker knows the language of heroic action films. The way he shows the priest reach for his glove box for his stole, confident and intense. The way he gets out of his car, rising into the camera shot. The way he pushes through the crowd and takes command, assured of his role. Even to how he stops to talk to the young boy who looks up to him. You could replace the priest with Superman without too much to jar you.
Also, the use of the fishermen was great. Of course we have the Gospel image of the apostles as fishermen who are made fishers of men, but the image is iconic. These aren’t a couple of old geezers out on the lake trolling for bass. These are the fishermen of “A Perfect Storm,” men out on the sea who engage in one of the world’s most dangerous professions. What a great image to call to mind when one thinks of a priest.
I think every vocations office should buy a whole bunch and send them out to every parish. And everyone in the parish should see it, not just young men who might be discerning a vocation.
This video is one step to help heal the image of the priesthood that was so badly disfigured by The Scandal. Perhaps soon the vast majority of good priests can once again be looked upon with respect and not fear and shame. I think this video will help that day.
COMMENTS
Buy two! One to watch and one to give to your favorite priest (I did).
Posted by Lynne on 07/29/06 at 06:32 AM
Grassroots Films regularly works directly with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (aka Fr. Benedict Groeschel), hence the fidelity and true portayal of the masculine priesthood.
The man in the video who plays the priest rushing to the accident seen is a brother with the Friars of the Renewal—I know him personally. He was a fellow postulant with me while I was there discerning religious life.
I’m fairly certain that some of the men playing the role of an apostle are also Friars of the Renewal.
Posted by Tim Harrison on 07/29/06 at 08:01 PM
Shan,
I’m a firm believer that our efforts at vocations discernment have to appeal to the generation of men who are the pool we’re choosing from. I also think we need to present the priesthood as a manly pursuit, a challenge and a life-changing event.
On the one hand, the Blues Brothers is a little dated, but on the other it’s a pop culture reference many men will get. And it encompasses the challenge aspect.
Most men want to be heroes. They want to feel like they’re doing something that makes a difference. Fatherhood does that. Spiritual fatherhood should be no different.
Posted by Domenico Bettinelli on 07/31/06 at 02:52 PM
Comments are being moderated. After you submit your comment it could take up to a couple hours, but usually only a few minutes, before it will appear. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, you may contact Domenico Bettinelli.