The Way – Lenten Film Series 2014
Week 3
Martin Sheen stars as a reluctant pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in a film made by his son, Emilio Estevez.
Questions for reflection and conversation:
1. At the beginning of the pilgrim’s journey to Santiago de Compostela each one is given a stone to carry. It can symbolize the weight of worry, guilt, or sins that we carry in life. Why can’t Sarah finish her prayer? Why don’t Joost and Jack pray it out loud? What do you think is going through their minds and hearts? Why did Tom seem to say the prayer for them as well as for himself?
2. Tom (Martin Sheen) invites Jack to go inside a beautiful church but Jack says where he comes from in Ireland churches are “temples of tears”- probably referring to the clergy abuse scandal there. How does Jack change when he decides to enter the Basilica of St. James? What do you think Jack’s back story is?
3. During the clip from the film we learn why each person set out on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (though Sarah’s reason is more complicated than it seems here). Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? If so, what did the experience mean to you then and now?
4. It is in the basilica, when the giant thurible swings back and forth, the burning incense rising in praise to God during the celebration of Mass, the billowing incense encompassing them and symbolizing purification and grace, that the pilgrims might say, with the apostles on the Mount of the Transfiguration, “It is good for us to be here.” How is this Lenten thing you are doing helping you to grow, assuring you that during Mass, “It is good for us to be here”?
The Lenten Film Series:
The Lenten Film Series on The INNdustry with Sister Rose presents film and TV clips that highlight Lenten themes, offering you (or your prayer group, classroom, or retreat) a contemporary, media-driven way to reflect and journey through Lent! The series premieres on getinn.tv on Ash Wednesday March 5 and releases a new episode every Wednesday afterward, taking you right up to Holy Week.
This Lenten Film Series is made possible by the Midwest Jesuits and the IN Network.
About “The INNdustry with Sister Rose”:
Billed as SISTER WENDY meets ROGER EBERT AT THE MOVIES meets THE CHARLIE ROSE SHOW, “The INNdustry with Sister Rose” reviews all things entertainment related and features one-on-one interviews with the people making news in entertainment and media. Take a look at the entertainment industry, faith, and life through Sister Rose colored glasses.
About Sister Rose:
Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP is a Daughter of St. Paul and the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, CA. She is a noted national and international media literacy specialist and is an award-winning film/TV columnist for St. Anthony Messenger and the National Catholic Reporter. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/sisterrosemovies/
