Spirituality is in vogue in Hollywood these days. Many Hollywood heavyweights and up-and-coming stars as well have been gravitating toward spirituality.
Whether it be from immersing themselves in a role and growing close to a religious character or just the self-awareness to know the world around them is falling apart, whatever the reason, some big names are leaning into God.
Mark Wahlberg famously gained more traction in his spiritual journey after portraying “Father Stu,” a boxer-turned-priest. Chris Pratt is an unashamed Christian, willing to discuss his faith journey with anyone that will listen. Alan Ritchson, who stars as Jack Reacher in the Amazon original “Reacher” has also been open about his faith and beliefs.
Now, a former Hollywood wild-child is speaking up about his recent conversion to Roman Catholicism and his upcoming confirmation.
Shia LeBeouf, the star of the “Transformers” series, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and “Borg Versus McEnroe” among other films, talked recently about his starring role in “Padre Pio,” where he portrays Saint Padre Pio, a famous Catholic priest who lived during both World War I and II.
Apparently, his immersion into the role, including living in a monastery of Franciscan Capuchin friars to help him better understand his role, had a profound effect on the former rebel.
Actor Shia LaBeouf Says He's in RCIA Preparing for Confirmation in the Catholic Church
"I'm in RCIA. I'm scheduled to be confirmed in seven months and I hope Bishop [Robert] Barron comes down to confirm me. But we'll see. I'm in RCIA right now and once a week I get on the horn… pic.twitter.com/Jy7WLHUpbI
— ChurchPOP (@Church_POP) May 31, 2023
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LeBeouf recounts some of what opened his eyes and led him on his spiritual journey: “It was seeing other people who have sinned beyond anything I could ever conceptualize also being found in Christ that made me feel like, ‘Oh, that gives me hope. I started hearing experiences of other depraved people who had found their way in this, and it made me feel like I had permission.”
Indeed it is often a feeling of utter unworthiness that leads people not even to attempt to find God. Why bother when you think he will shun you anyway? For many, they never have the eye-opening experience that lets them know they are worthy despite their sins. For LeBeouf, living with the friars opened his eyes to God’s love.
The former teen heartthrob is now on a serious path to being a confirmed member of the Roman Catholic Church. He talked of that as well: “I’m in [the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults]. I’m scheduled to be confirmed in seven months and I hope Bishop [Robert] Barron comes down to confirm me. But we’ll see,” he told ChurchPOP’s English editor. “I’m in RCIA right now and once a week I get on the horn with Fr. Bobby and we talk shop.”
Perhaps it is a coincidence, or maybe a sign of the times. More and more people, Hollywood and otherwise, are leaning into their faith. Considering that the left is doing everything in its power to advance the destruction of our society, the more people that turn from that destructive path and turn toward God, the better. Especially when they have name recognition and a platform. Kudos to LeBeouf for changing his ways and trying to live the right way.