‘Jesus Thirsts’ will return to Movie Theaters June 18 and 19

Madalaine Elhabbal, in a story published Monday for Catholic Vote reported the return of 'Jesus Thirsts' to the Big Screen.

After grossing $2,141,273 in three days earlier this month, the movie will return for a second limited engagement -- June 18 and 19.

That number might not seem overwhelming in an era when "blockbuster" films need ten times tor more than that amount on opening night to be deemed successful.

But Fathom Events said "Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist" was the America's top-grossing per-screen movie on June 4, 5 and 6.

(https://catholicvote.org/jesus-thirsts-film-returning-box-office-success/ )

The emotion of the film, in a moment that stands out for this writer, is captured nicely in a Ugandan town. The film narrative captures a moment typical of recurring times for "Eucharistic Adorstion" around the world – a small group of people gathered before the consecrated host, visible to all before the altar.

Scenes of intense prayer are interspersed, in the film narrative, with the works of “adorers” – in this case, in Uganda -- on what receiving their Lord in the form of bread and wine, means for their lives. They are among the movie’s “stars” – witnesses to the truth they live.

One woman is shown kneeling before the Tabernacle, pouring out her love, gratitude and petitions, while her friends sit or kneel abide nearby, in silence and a rapture, for each her or his own. It is a visual illustration, a kind of non-legal “brief,” about the Universal Church, at a form of Universal worship, a “sacramental” unfolding outside the Mass itself.

In another sequence, Rev. Pontian Kaweesa -- a Ugandan priest with a worldwide following on "Facebook" and social media -- articulately shares reflections.

Summing him up, the Eucharist is the heart of Catholic belief and practice.

The film is in many ways a response to news from 2019 which was disturbing to Bible-believing Roman Catholics. A Pew survey found that only 30 percent of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is, in truth, the Body and Blood, soul and divinity, of Jesus, the Son of God –the Savior of all.

( https://www.citynewsokc.com/arts_and_entertainment/jesus-thirsts-film-on-catholic-beliefs-about-the-miracle-of-the-eucharist-is-highly-recommended/article_38668966-2353-11ef-8496-bb7bb8242f6c.html )

In her story about the film’s return to theaters, Elhabbal reported that Ray Nutt (chief executive officer of Fathom Events, a distributor aiming to capture audiences in “mainstream” venues) said last week: “We’re excited to be adding more dates to this run so that more people can experience the miracle of the Eucharist.”

In "Hollywood" writ large, you’d not normally expect to learn “Jesus Thirsts” is Fathom's highest grossing documentary of 2024.

That’s not all, it is ranked second among all “docs” released this year.

The movie is the result of an intriguing blend of funding groups and producers, as sketched in the recent review on CityNewsOKC.

Steve Greco, the film's executive producer and an ordained deacon in the Diocese of Orange, California, expressed that his “greatest hope” for the film is that it will draw people closer to Christ.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the movie-goers for showing up!” said Deacon Greco, adding: “Now we need to show up again with others.”

This powerful not only reflects what faithful Catholics consider truth, but also delivers its angelic message with an appealing version of inclusiveness, without a government mandate.

Filmed in the United States, Poland, Italy, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Uganda, Canada, and Slovenia, with witnesses who speak in their native or adopted tongues. A Holy Spirit kind of thing, with sub-titles.

Viewers are encouraged to hang around after the credits, to check out a short and beautiful structured documentary affirming the historicity and relevance of “Our Lady of Guadalupe: Woman of the Eucharist.” That film was produced by the Knights of Columbus. It was filmed here in the western Hampshire, including the U.S. and Mexico. is worthy of nominations for recognition in the ‘short-film’ categories of the motion picture industry.

Note and Disclosure: Pat McGuigan writes regularly about diverse communities of faith around the world. He is a Roman Catholic.