Jesus’ Passion:
The Story of Redemptive Suffering

Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering presents an in-depth explanation of the biblical foundations of the movie The Passion of the Christ, and is available free online during Lent. The lessons are downloadable at that time. In 2025, the study will be posted from March 5 (Ash Wednesday) to April 20 (Easter Sunday). The revised second edition of this popular Catholic Bible study by Jennifer McGaw Phelps features an imprimatur and a foreword by the Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Des Moines. Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering contains all of the material in the original 2004 edition and highlights related teaching from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “Movie Notes” have been added to identify instances in the movie that veer from Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Passion.

The online study page for the Introduction is accessible year-round and contains more information as well as a link to the accompanying introductory text. During Lent, you can click on the online study pages to link to the downloadable lessons in Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering.

Introduction For God So Loved the World
Lesson 1 Agony in the Garden
Lesson 2 The Son of Man Before the Chief Priests
Lesson 3 What Is Truth?
Lesson 4 Via Dolorosa: The Way of Sorrows
Lesson 5 Crucifixion, Death & Resurrection

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