Unveiling the Miracle of the Eucharist: A Conversation with the Filmmakers

Film’s ability to connect communities through its themes has been a huge part in what makes movies impactful. This is what Deacon Steve Greco, James M. Wahlberg, and Tim Moriarty set out to do in their latest film, Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.

This powerful documentary film grew out of a movement which the trio aimed to explore – the transformative power and impact of the Eucharist and why it’s the source and summit of the Christian faith. Along the way they engage in conversations with notable Catholic figures, exploring the biblical origins and sharing personal stories of individuals whose lives were transformed by the Blessed Sacrament.

With the film premiering in theaters nationwide June 4, Deacon Steve Greco sat down with filmmakers Jim Wahlberg and Tim Moriarty and had a conversation about Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.

Deacon Steve Greco: Tim, as we embark on releasing Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist in theaters nationwide, what does this film mean to you personally as it arrives on the big screen?

Tim Moriarty: This film holds deeply personal significance for me. There was a time in my life when I drifted away from the Church, but it was the Eucharist that drew me back. The realization that nothing in life can satisfy the profound longings of the human heart like the gift of the Eucharist, which God has given us to fulfill our deepest desires, is a truth that resonates deeply. Seeing Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist on the big screen is an opportunity to share this transformative experience and to remind everyone of the sublime beauty and depth of our Catholic faith.

Tim, in your film career, did you ever think about doing a film specifically on something so personal to your Catholic faith?

Tim Moriarty: Filmmakers are always in search of stories. Stories have the power to unveil hidden truths and deep insights about our world. The story of the Eucharist is the story of God’s boundless love for us—God’s thirst for us. It’s the greatest story ever told. When we at Castletown Media were approached to collaborate with Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry and Jim Wahlberg on Jesus Thirsts, it felt very providential. From the outset, our goal was to reveal the reality of God’s love as best we could, inviting viewers to be transformed by its grace.
It’s been a truly humbling experience for us to work on this film, and I hope it touches hearts and minds in a deeply personal way.

“My hope is that this film brings the walls down
so people can know Him, love Him and serve Him.”
– Jim Wahlberg

Jim, your testimony speaks to the power of God and His ability to transform our lives. What do you hope people will experience from your story and the inmates featured in the film?

Jim Wahlberg: First and foremost, the redemption that I have experienced in my own life, is only possible through the grace of God. To get here to a life of faith from where I come from is only through loving God, and more than that, God loving me! We take the audience into prison to meet inmates, and I share a bit of my testimony because I was there behind bars as well. My life has been radically transformed by the love and power of God. That’s what I know to be possible in my life and it’s possible for every man and woman who sees this film who approaches the throne of grace in the Eucharist. I grew up in a family that had no real faith and so I want to do all I can to impart a witness of my life of faith now and the reality that no matter who you are or where you come from, God can meet you there and change your life. God is not a respecter of persons. His love is for all of us. Many people are living with secret pain, public pain, shame and so many things that become a barrier between us and God. My hope is that this film brings the walls down so people can know Him, love Him and serve Him.

Tim, in the documentary, we really emphasize the universality of the Church, is there a particular storyline that resonates with you personally?

Tim Moriarty: The story of the Sisters of Life and their program ‘The Source’ at St. Patrick’s Cathedral profoundly resonates with me. Their dedication to Eucharistic adoration and their outreach to young people beautifully illustrate the universal call to holiness and the transformative power of the Eucharist. In this segment, a sister recounts a moving story of a young woman who wandered into St. Patrick’s. She said she didn’t know what prayer was. As she knelt before the Eucharist as instructed by the sister, she began to weep, saying it was the first time she could hear her heart speaking. These and other stories reveal the universal thirst at the heart of every human being. This storyline underscores how the Eucharist serves as a beacon of hope and spiritual nourishment, even in the heart of a bustling metropolis like New York City.

Jim, you have seen the power of movies to impact the culture – what is your greatest hope for this film?

Jim Wahlberg: Let’s face it, movies have become a dominant force in our culture and so it’s important that as a filmmaker, a filmmaker who is a believer, that I boldly go there and use my gifts to lead whole audiences to God’s Truth and goodness. With this film we have an opportunity to lead the faithful to deeper devotion and also to give each of us a tool in our hands to explain the source and summit of the Christian life in the Eucharist in a way that is compelling and beautiful to those who have strayed. Ultimately, it would be incredible if this movie creates a movement right from the movie theaters to adoration chapels and it becomes part of the answer to Eucharistic Revival. This movie is an invitation and I invite everyone to come and see.

Tim, how can this movie help families teach about the Catholic faith?

Tim Moriarty: This film serves as a rich educational tool for families, offering a compelling visual and emotional experience that underscores the significance of the Eucharist. By presenting the biblical foundations, personal testimonies, and the inherent beauty of the sacrament, it provides a comprehensive resource for families to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith.