Video series on the Bible and salvation history available Sept. 14
“The Bible Lady,” Gail Buckley Barringer, is filmed for her part in the “Messiah” video series about the Bible and salvation history, being released online Sept. 14. (Photo provided by cenacle productions) CHARLOTTE — Local independent filmmaker Rick Rotondi says the seed for his first production, “Messiah,” was planted in 2016 during a general audience in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
“As I looked out on my fellow pilgrims and heard Pope Francis address us in many languages, I was moved by the reality of Christ risen and present,” Rotondi recalls. “Before our eyes, He was assembling His people. He was enlightening the nations. Rome, the empire which put Him to death and persecuted His Church, was under His feet.
“I began to understand Christ’s kingship in a new way. I wanted to share that understanding and express it.”
Rotondi says “Messiah,” a documentary series about Jesus which will be released Sept. 14, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is a “crash course” on the Bible and salvation history. It was filmed in more than 30 locations in the U.S., Rome and the Holy Land. Featured sites include Nazareth, the Western Wall, the Upper Room, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Messiah” is an eight-part series on the messianic prophecies of the Bible, and how Jesus fulfilled them – both during His earthly life and after. It is an ensemble production with five experts, 13 voice actors, multiple hymns and hundreds of works of art.
Rotondi, who is a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, founded the production company Cenacle that is producing the series. He is also an author and Catholic publishing veteran who helped develop popular video series like “Doors of Mercy” (2016) and “Queen of Heaven” (2017) for Saint Benedict Press.
He says “Messiah” was over two years in the making, starting in the summer of 2017 with a year-long process of researching and writing. In 2018, he took 17 people, including a film crew, host Leonardo Defilippis, and a small number of pilgrims to film in the Holy Land and Rome.
Rotondi relied on St. Matthew parishioner Carolyn Klika, a colleague in Catholic publishing whom he’s known for more than 20 years, to assist with the trip.
“As the ‘Messiah’ filming pilgrimage leader, I saw firsthand how impactful the insights and story of ‘Messiah’ were among the pilgrims and also those who have watched the initial episodes,” Klika said. “It is mesmerizing, with its rich images, original music score, deep insights, varied experts and the storytelling to tie it all together.”
Additional footage for “Messiah” was filmed in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Stoneham, Mass.; and locally in Charlotte, where Catholic Scripture Study founder Gail Buckley Barringer was filmed.
“Sadly, many people do not realize the importance of the Old Testament or that both the Old Testament and the New are needed in order to understand God’s plan for saving mankind,” Barringer notes. “This series is not only beautifully illustrated, but I think it is a great teaching tool for those who want to better understand the Bible.”
“After watching this series, one will know what St. Augustine meant when he said, ‘The New is hidden in the Old and the Old is revealed in the New.’ I believe that Rick has hit a home run with ‘Messiah’ and I feel blessed to be a part of it,” she says.
Rotondi says “Messiah” would not have been possible without the involvement of Charlotte cast and crew, including director John Strong; interview segments producer Ginny Mooney; and all 13 voice actors, including Kevin Gallagher as the voice of Jesus; Natalie McIver reciting biblical songs and Psalms; Deacon Ruben Tamayo of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte as the voice of St. Stephen; and Father Joshua Voitus, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church, as the voice of St. Paul.
In preparing to voice his part, Deacon Tamayo says, “It was a very moving experience to dwell on what St. Stephen must have been going through: St. Stephen’s ardent love for Our Lord Jesus and his willingness to embrace martyrdom to remain faithful to Him.”
“Voicing Stephen’s last words as he was dying, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them,’ was particularly poignant for me and served as a powerful reminder of how I, and all of us, are called to forgive those who offend and harm us,” he says.
Rotondi notes that other Charlotte residents assisted and encouraged in various ways, attending episode pre-screenings held at St. Vincent de Paul Parish and in private homes, and providing material for an accompanying study guide to be released later this fall.
“‘Messiah’ took two years to make and covers over 1,500 years of history, from the exodus to the fall of pagan Rome,” Rotondi says. “‘Messiah,’ however, only takes four hours to watch.”
In its exploration of the prophecies, types and prefigurings of Jesus, it is sure to delight faithful churchgoers and Bible Study participants, he adds. But it is also meant to attract and engage students, seekers and skeptics.
“The hearts of the first disciples were set burning on the road to Emmaus when they saw how Jesus was foretold by ‘Moses and all the prophets’ (Lk 24:27),” Rotondi says. “‘Messiah’ is meant to set hearts burning, too.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter. Cenacle Productions contributed.
Order ‘Messiah’
“Messiah” is available starting Sept. 14 on major streaming platforms including Amazon (www.amazon.com/dp/B07XFJS4RL); Christian Cinema (www.christiancinema.com/digital/movie/messiah); and Vimeo (www.vimeo.com/ondemand/messiah).
Episodes can be rented for $2.99 each or purchased for $8.99 each. The whole series may be purchased for online viewing for $39.99.
In the coming months, “Messiah” will be released on DVD, along with a book and study guide.
For more information, visit www.seemessiah.com