Mark Wahlberg embraces Lent: My Catholic faith is ‘everything’
Mark Wahlberg embraces Lent: My Catholic faith is ‘everything’
Actor Mark Wahlberg recently shared insights on the significance of Lent and the role of his Catholic faith in his life to a nationwide audience.
“It encompasses everything,” the 51-year-old expressed regarding his beliefs on Wednesday during NBC’s “Today” show. “God did not arrive to rescue the righteous; he came to redeem the wrongdoers. We have all faced challenges and problems in our lives, and we aspire to become improved versions of ourselves, and by concentrating [on] my faith, it has enabled me to achieve that.”
Both Wahlberg’s statements and his look testified to his beliefs: He had ashes in the shape of a cross on his forehead, in observance of Ash Wednesday, the inaugural day of Lent.
“The planet offers you plenty of ease, but we weren’t created for ease; we were created for greatness,” he went on. “And to achieve greatness, we must engage in the struggle to attain the rewards.”
Wahlberg, identified as one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2022 Catholics of the Year, featured on the program as a guest storyteller and endorsed representative for the Catholic prayer application Hallow. Catholics might also recognize him for creating and acting in “Father Stu,” a 2022 movie that narrates the tale of an ex-boxer who becomes a priest.
In an interview with NBC, Wahlberg mentioned that he has never attempted to conceal his beliefs.
“I don’t wish to force it on anyone, but I will not renounce my beliefs,” he stated. “That’s an even graver offense. It’s not widely accepted in my field, but I cannot abandon my faith.”
This Lent, he is taking part in Hallow’s Pray40 Lent challenge where he will present a “Fasting Motivation and Challenge.”
For the audience of the show, Wahlberg also offered inspiration for fasting. Although Catholics refrain from eating meat and fast at various times during Lent, the actor highlighted that the 40-day period signifies much more than just the sacrifice of food.
“There are numerous, diverse aspects to fasting. … If you struggle with food, there are additional factors,” he mentioned. “God understands the items you need to let go of. We are all aware of those aspects that induce guilt and prevent us from feeling as well as we ought to.”
He stated that Catholics ought to distance themselves from those matters and simultaneously cultivate positive behaviors.
He characterized discipline as one of the advantages of Lent for him.
“After I began delving into films and shifted away from music, I came to understand that I required a significant amount of discipline in my life,” he stated. “And that discipline has granted me numerous other opportunities… and I wish to share that with others — whether that involves fasting, exercising more, disconnecting from various distractions, or simply dedicating more time to God through prayer or contemplative reflection.”
Like his friends, the father of four mentioned that he does not wish to impose his beliefs on his kids.
“I wish for them to be drawn to it in a completely organic manner,” he stated. “I want them to realize that dad begins his day by getting down on his hands and knees. And regardless of my location, the main focus on Sunday is attending church.”
A response from a media nun
Sister Nancy Usselmann of the Pauline community, who functions as the head of the Pauline Center for Media Studies, praised Wahlberg for being candid about his beliefs as a Hollywood performer.
“I believe it’s wonderful that a person with fame expresses their convictions openly,” she stated to Our Sunday Visitor. “We need an increase in that. We must not feel embarrassed by the Gospel.”
She urged all Catholics to emulate his example.
“Mark claims he will not betray his beliefs. Can we all echo that sentiment?” she inquired. “It’s a rallying cry for every Catholic to articulate what their connection to Christ signifies in their daily existence.”
Usselmann concurred with Wahlberg’s message for Lent. She stated that Lent is an “ideal opportunity to tackle those aspects of our lives that hold us back.”
“Concentrating on positive habits, or virtues, is what fortifies our connection with God,” she clarified. “Lent is not merely about abstaining from certain items, but is particularly about getting nearer to Christ via prayer, sacrifice, and enhancement in virtue.”
The Lenten period, she remarked, is also an ideal opportunity to reconsider and embody what Catholic priests frequently express when applying ashes to the foreheads of the worshippers: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
“To have faith means that we rely on Christ, the Word incarnate, and, as his disciples, we testify to the world that there exists something greater we yearn for than what this world provides,” she stated.
Usselmann elaborated on the significance of Wahlberg’s statements regarding greatness.
“Yes, we are destined for greatness in and by Christ who guides us to everlasting life,” she stated. “That’s the intention of our existence–to love God and conduct ourselves in a way that allows us to be with Him for eternity in heaven. That’s the significance of our baptismal vocation as Catholics.”
“Thank God,” she remarked, “that individuals like Mark can remind Catholics of our incredible calling and thereby impact the culture positively.”
Katie Yoder is a Contributing Editor to Our Sunday Visitor.
