WASHINGTON, D.C.—Just in time for Lent, Catholics serving in the United States Military will have free access to the first volume of Bishop Robert Barron’s new video series, CATHOLICISM: the Pivotal Players. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), has shipped 500 complimentary DVD box sets, complete with study materials, to Catholic faith communities on U.S. Military installations around the world, aboard U.S. Navy warships, and in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. The box sets were donated to the AMS by Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire Ministries.
The multi-part film series examines the lives of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilization. The first volume covers St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, Michelangelo, Blessed John Henry Newman, and G.K. Chesterton. The box set includes six DVDs, one on each of the Pivotal Players. Each episode runs 50 to 60 minutes. English and Spanish subtitles and audio are included as configurable options.
The kits are set up for adult faith formation groups to watch the installments and discuss their content in small gatherings. Each kit includes a Pivotal Players Leader’s Guide, a set of 120 Prayer Cards—20 cards for each Pivotal Player—and a book called Praying with the Pivotal Players by Amy Welborn. While study groups may choose Lent as an opportunity to explore the series, the subject matter is not specific to any particular liturgical season and can be taken up any time of year.
Word on Fire Ministries has made similar donations of past productions to Catholic military communities, including CATHOLICISM, Priest, Prophet, King, and The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, expressed his appreciation:
“During the last General Assembly of the USCCB, Bishop Barron treated us to a preview of Pivotal Players. It is an enthralling teaching tool which will acquaint AMS faithful with a vision of these ‘players’ in the Church and in the world. I am deeply indebted to Bishop Barron and Word on Fire Ministries for yet another generous gift which will promote evangelization around the world.”
Archbishop Broglio’s Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization, Dr. Mark Moitoza, said the study kits will be a valuable religious education tool for military Catholics:
“Access to resources that support adult faith formation is necessary to bring people together for prayer and sharing. The Pivotal Players series is well suited for the military setting where schedules vary and transition is the norm. The flexible use of the study kit will enable new recruits and seasoned leaders alike to reflect upon key questions related to living the faith in daily life based on the example of these pivotal players.”
Service personnel or their families interested in viewing the first volume of CATHOLICISM: the Pivotal Players may contact their Catholic chaplain for more information. Word on Fire Ministries plans to release a second volume of the series, covering St. Irenaeus, St. Augustine, St. Benedict, St. Ignatius, and Bartolomé de Las Casas, at a date to be determined.
