Enlightened stars and shows lead viewers back to God

Denzel Washington

Our articles on the International Eucharistic Congress have elicited requests for even more  “inspiring” articles, with a specific request for notes on how spirituality and religion figure in some stars’ lives.

Granted, many entertainment luminaries are focused more on themselves, their careers and other more materialistic factors, but there are some stars who’ve made spiritual concerns a key part of their existence.

For instance, Denzel Washington reads the Bible daily to illuminate his “path back to God,” and shares that he knows the Holy Spirit is real due to some amazing encounters early in his life.

For his part, Mark Wahlberg finds time to go to church daily, despite his busy schedule. Some of his role choices also vouch for his sensitivity and depth, in films like “Daddy’s Home,” “The Basketball Diaries,” “Invincible” and “Survivor.”

Tina Turner credits her faith for helping her get a grip on her tumultuous life, particularly her marriage to Ike Turner, who was verbally and physically abusive.

Despite his “issues” related to substance abuse and anger management, Mel Gibson’s closest friends believe that he will eventually see the light and regain his balance, because his faith remains strong.

It was what motivated him to buck the odds and come up with “The Passion of the Christ” many years ago, and it turned out to become a huge hit, promoting other TV-film stars to come up with their own “inspirational” productions.

For the past decade, they have been paced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who’ve produced their own standout spiritual films and TV series, like “Answered Prayers,” “The Bible Continues” and “Son of God.”

Mel Gibson

Like Gibson’s productions, their own Lightworks Media company has benefited from its faith in faith-oriented projects, so their filmography keeps growing.

There’s a Buddhist on our “spiritual stars” list—Richard Gere. He is focused on promoting human rights and supports the Tibetan independence movement, as well as tribal people throughout the world. He also campaigns for ecological causes and AIDS awareness.

When it comes to living his faith, Gere’s cup is full!

Local religious productions

On the local performing scene, religious film productions are represented by the seasonal reissues of “Kristo” and other movies on the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Donita Rosa has also portrayed St. Faustina Kowalska, whose Divine Mercy mission has led to Mercy Sunday now being celebrated by Catholics internationally.

But, it’s on the local stage where most of our religious productions can be accessed.

Recent local stagings have been on St. Pedro Calungsod and St. Faustina, and revivals of “Padre Pio” and “Nasaan si Hesus?” are slated for the first quarter of 2017. In addition, a new drama on the Passion of Jesus Christ will be mounted as a touring production.

These and other spiritual shows indicate that, as in the States, there is a felt need here as well for religious dramas and musicals that help viewers develop, enhance and deepen their own devotion to God, and make their spirituality a more significant part of their lives.