Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel gave a stirring surprise speech last week to Catholic college students, telling them that the world needs warriors to fight for the truth, freedom and faith.

The students were attending the SLS18 (Student Leadership Summit 2018) conference. The conference was sponsored by The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

God’s Calling

Caviezel told the students that God calls people to do great things, but often we don’t respond. He added that this culture is in decline and the world is entrenched in sin. 

The world needs proud warriors animated by their faith. Warriors like St. Paul and St. Luke, who risked their names, their reputations to take their faith, their love for Jesus into the world. God is calling each one of us, each one of you to do great things, but how often we fail to respond. … It is time for our generation now to accept that call, the call of God urging all of us to give ourselves entirely to Him. To see that gentle hand guiding your path, but you first must make the commitment to start praying, to fast, to meditate on the Holy Scriptures, to take the holy sacraments seriously. … Our whole world is entrenched in sin. There in the quiets of our hearts, God is calling out to us each one of us, to give ourselves entirely to Him.

“God loves each one of us personally,” said Caviezel, “and He is there for us in our darkest moments of despair. Some of you may be miserable right now, confused … this is not the time to back off or give in.”

He assured the students that a life of following Jesus wouldn’t be easy. “Remember, the servant is no greater than the master. There is a price for our faith, for our freedoms.”

Embrace Your Cross

Caviezel also warned the students that some are embracing a “fake Christianity,” where it’s all happy talk. “I call it ‘happy Jesus’ and glory. Guys, there was a lot of pain and suffering before the resurrection. Your path will be no different. So embrace your cross and race toward your goal. I want you to go out into this pagan world. I want you to have the courage to step into this pagan world and shamelessly express your faith in public.”

He quoted St. Maximilian Kolbe, who said that the greatest sin of the 20th century was indifference. Caviezel said it’s the greatest sin of our generation as well. 

We must shake off this indifference, this destructive tolerance of evil. Only our faith and the wisdom of Christ can save us, but it requires warriors ready to risk their reputations, their names, even our very lives to stand for the truth. Set yourselves apart from this corrupt generation. Be saints. You weren’t made to fit in. You were born to stand out.

Caviezel also quoted a scene from Mel Gibson’s Braveheart when William Wallace challenged his men as they prepared to go to battle. Wallace told his men that their enemies may take their lives, but they’ll never take their freedom. Caviezel said that the students must “fight for that authentic freedom and live, my friends.”

“By God, we must live,” he concluded, “and with the Holy Spirit as your shield and Christ as your sword, may you join St. Michael and all the angels in sending Lucifer and his henchmen straight right back to Hell where they belong!”

He added “If I don’t see you here, I can’t wait to see you in heaven. I love you. God bless you. Fight hard.”

Caviezel is starring in the upcoming film Paul, Apostle of Christ.

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