Sydney
28 July 2002
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Willesee looks at Eucharist miracles and Last Supper in documentary
By Marilyn Kerjean
Producing a documentary on the Eucharist was “not a money-making venture”, says Mike Willesee.
The Eucharist, produced by the former high-profile current affairs presenter, now documentary producer with Ron Tesoriero, a lawyer who has also made several religious documentaries, will be made available to Catholic schools, parishes and all educational and evangelical agencies at a low price.
It is designed to promote the Catholic Faith through appreciation of Christ’s great gift of himself in the Eucharist.
The international launch of the new documentary has been arranged with the help of Catholic Youth Services and the Sydney University Catholic Chaplaincy.
It will be launched at the Seymour Centre at 7pm on Friday, August 23.
“The documentary is an educational and evangelistic instrument to remind people of this important sacrament, the most assessable sacrament, the one Jesus says brings us close to him,” Mike says.
It covers the Church’s understanding of the Eucharist, and links the vital passages in chapter six of John’s Gospel with the Last Supper narratives.
It also looks at two Eucharistic miracles in Italy where the host and wine turned into human flesh and blood upon consecration.
One in Orvieto in 1263 was the basis of the feast of the Corpus Christi; the other in Lanciano in 700 was the subject of a scientific investigation in 1970 and was approved by the Church.
The documentary features footage of the annual Corpus Christi procession in Orvieto with the relics, as well as an interview with Prof Odoardo Linoli.
He tested the objects from Lanciano and found them to be a piece of human heart muscle and Type AB blood that have not deteriorated in 1300 years.
“Eucharistic miracles while a small part of the documentary are a very important part – they are a way in which Jesus has brought reminders for those who doubt the reality of the Eucharist, that it is the true presence of his body and blood, humanity and divinity” Mike says.
Anthony McCarthy, of the Sydney University Catholic Chaplaincy, says he sees the documentary as a great gift Mike Willesee is giving to the Church, of his time, expertise and resources.
Mike says he and Ron Tesoriero have only tried to do what Jesus charges us all to do – go to the ends of the earth and spread the Good News.
Anyone can attend the documentary launch, which is free, but bookings are essential. Call one of the following numbers: 9763 1416; 9798 3056; 9232 4437; 9899 4727; 0402 250 727.
Tickets are limited to a maximum of four per booking, due to demand.
People aged 13-35 will get a second chance to see part of The Eucharist at the Salt & Light music and prayer festival in St Mary’s Cathedral Hall on Saturday, September 7.
For information about the festival, call 9763 1416 or visit www.cys.cathcomm.org