ACTOR AND CATHOLIC activist Jim Caviezel spoke his mind during his recent guest appearance at Holy Trinity parish in Ladera Ranch — and the audience of over 1,000 loved every minute of it.
JIM CAVIEZEL SPEAKS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DURING A SPECIAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT HELD ON FEB. 7 AT HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Caviezel’s strong pro-life message focused on the fight to restore reverence for life, the horrors of human trafficking and the joy of marriage and family.
“He was spot on with his Catholic doctrine and content and called everyone to be a warrior not an appeaser, recalled Fr. Michael St. Paul, pastor of Holy Trinity. “Many people said, and I agree, it was the best pro-life speech they had ever heard. Many of the people I spoke to said it was great to hear this message in front of the altar; maybe it will give the clergy an opening to do the same.”
ATTENDEES LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO ACTOR AND CATHOLIC ACTIVIST JIM CAVIEZEL DURING HIS SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Caviezel is a fighter in the most positive sense. He is a zealot for the message of his Catholic faith and is not afraid to use his platform and celebrity to speak the truth. Speaking about his focus on films with Catholic/Christian themes, Caviezel said, “I can’t stop, I will not stop spreading the message that God’s children are no longer for sale. If you bring down the family, you bring down the culture and then we are destroyed.”
Before the Feb. 7 talk, 40 underwriters for the event attended a VIP reception at Fr. Michael’s home for a chance to meet Caviezel and have their photos taken with him.
Fr. Michael had met the actor over 20 years ago while he was still in the seminary, and the actor gave him tickets to see the “Passion of the Christ,” in which he played Jesus.
“When he came to my door this time, I said ‘you haven’t changed a bit’ — and that was true,” said Fr. Michael. “He is a serious guy, a man of conviction. What you see on stage is what you see offstage. We had a conversation on child trafficking — serious stuff — he encourages everyone not to be complacent in their faith.”
Caviezel also said he enjoyed speaking in a Catholic church and loved the ambiance at Holy Trinity. He was particularly impressed with the dramatic image of the crucifixion over the altar, which recalls the drama and intensity portrayed in the movie.
The event was part of a year-long 20th anniversary Jubilee celebration at the parish.
“It was just meant to be,” said Fr. Michael. “Jim Caviezel was on our list of choices and the first one to respond. It was a godsend because Jim’s schedule worked perfectly with the timing for the parish. We wanted a big bang of a speaker, and we certainly got that.”
The event was a sell-out with the church packed to standing-room-only. All proceeds went to the Holy Trinity building fund. The enthusiastic audience gave Caviezel a rousing standing ovation at the end, their Catholic hearts celebrating the affirmation of their values.
To learn more about Holy Trinity’s upcoming Jubilee events, including a pilgrimage to Ireland with Fr. Michael St. Paul this October, visit https://holytrinityladera.org/20th-jubilee/