More than 200 million people worldwide have tuned in to watch “The Chosen,” a groundbreaking television drama based on the life of Jesus. The series, now in its fourth season, has been translated into 50 languages. And the future goals for the show are even bigger. The Come and See Foundation, the nonprofit organization responsible for distributing the show, hopes to reach 1 billion viewers and translate the series into 550 more languages.
Standing behind all of these record-breaking distribution goals are the actors who make the series. They come from various faith traditions and pour their hearts into their work. As Catholics, we can be especially proud of Jonathan Roumie, the award-winning actor who portrays Jesus of Nazareth in the hit series. Jonathan is a Catholic.
We named Jonathan to Our Sunday Visitor’s list of Catholics of the Year two years ago. In 2023, he delivered the keynote address at the annual March for Life. And this year, he was the commencement speaker at the Catholic University of America.
In our conversation, Jonathan was kind and open, unafraid to share his love for our Church. He spoke in a gentle tone that easily conveyed his dedication to prayer and his gratitude to God. He was attentive, polite and real. You’ll love this interview, in which Jonathan shares his devotion to the Eucharist, giving us all a raw and humble look at his work as an actor and the spiritual life that makes it all possible.
Our Sunday Visitor: Let’s start with the show and the Eucharist. In the seasons of “The Chosen” that we’ve seen so far, what moments strike you as particularly Eucharistic?
Jonathan Roumie: We haven’t depicted the Last Supper yet, which will be part of Season 5, focusing on Holy Week. For me, that will be the ultimate expression of the Eucharist on the show. The breaking of the bread and the consecration of the gifts by Jesus at the Passover Seder will be powerful, especially for me as a Catholic. I think it’s doubly important for me because of what we believe as Catholics, so I’m really looking forward to that.
However, the feeding of the 5000, which we portrayed in Season 3, is clearly parallel to the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. Feeding so many, both physically and spiritually, reflects the true essence of the Eucharist. Even though in that instance Jesus miraculously fed the crowd, the real food was in his words during the sermon, and the physical nourishment was secondary.
Our Sunday Visitor: Looking ahead, then, to Season 5, when you pronounce the words of the Last Supper, how will you prepare to deliver such familiar and powerful words as if for the first time?
Roumie: I have to deliver them as if they are being heard for the first time by the disciples. They’ve never heard this before. They’ve not experienced this commemoration, celebrated by their forefathers, as now being complete. It’s about portraying their initial confusion, since they probably struggled with this teaching and were confused until Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection, when it all started to make sense to them. Now it’s going to be interesting to see how it’s directed and how the scene is shot, but I know how I want to approach it, which will be with the reverence and the holiness that Catholics believe the moment holds. To make it sound like it’s never been said before — well, that’s part of my job!
Jesus is the shepherd of this band of disciples who are coming from a very common place. They are salt-of-the-earth craftsmen and fishermen. Jesus is communing with people that farm and fish and build.
Our Sunday Visitor: “The Chosen” brings together diverse Christian perspectives. How will you navigate sharing Catholic beliefs about the Eucharist while preparing these scenes?
Roumie: My preparation isn’t something that I really share openly because it’s personal to me, but it gets shared in the execution of the scene. So if somebody feels something or they’ve sensed something through the portrayal, then I think that’s how it will come out.
Also, for me, it’s important to have a certain amount of quiet and reverence on set during those moments. I’ve discussed this with my director. When we film the breaking of the bread and the passing of the wine, it’s going to be particularly special and solemn for me, but also, I think there will be great joy in it.
Our Sunday Visitor: Are there other moments in “The Chosen” that exemplify Eucharistic themes like sacrifice and communion?
Roumie: Yes, the shared intimacy among Jesus and the disciples reflects what we experience in Mass. Jesus is the shepherd of this band of disciples who are coming from a very common place. They are salt-of-the-earth craftsmen and fishermen. Jesus is communing with people that farm and fish and build. Traveling with and ministering to these guys for years builds intimacy. It’s a shared intimacy we experience in the Mass when we partake in the Blessed Sacrament. It’s something that I think is easily relatable to what we believe about the Eucharist when you begin to think about Jesus’ ministry.
Our Sunday Visitor: How has your work in “The Chosen” deepened your appreciation of the Eucharist?
Roumie: My preparation for the role involves prayer, confession and attending Mass. Receiving the Eucharist gives me the spiritual energy needed to portray Jesus authentically in the upcoming season. It brings a sense of harmony and deep inner peace that helps me tackle the more daunting aspects and challenges of playing this role.
Our Sunday Visitor: Who taught you about the Eucharist, and how has your understanding evolved?
Roumie: My understanding has deepened over time through study and personal experience. Knowing it is the true presence of Jesus, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to depend on it and experience it at various times in my life when I’ve been struggling or even desperate. I knew what the Eucharist was logically, and then physiologically, spiritually and psychologically I could feel the benefits of its effects.
Our Sunday Visitor: Are there specific Scripture passages that you find especially Eucharistic?
Roumie: John 6 is a key passage, though we haven’t covered it in the show, and I don’t know that we will. There’s a scene in Season 4 with the Roman centurion where he says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, only say the word and and (my servant) will be healed.” The way that we portrayed that scene hit me very personally. I think it hit home for a lot of Catholics because this verse has such a special significance in the Mass.
Our Sunday Visitor: Does adoration play a significant role in your spirituality?
Roumie: Absolutely. I make it a priority to spend time in adoration whenever possible. My spiritual director has encouraged it. It provides a deep sense of peace and spiritual support.
Our Sunday Visitor: Reflecting on your journey, was it natural for you to come before the Blessed Sacrament? Did you have a hard time going to adoration for the first time?
Roumie: Yes, it felt very natural. I didn’t find it strange or odd. Understanding the Real Presence made it a comforting and familiar practice for me. If I didn’t have that, I suppose it would have felt strange.
Our Sunday Visitor: Do you have any particular moments of clarity or consolation in front of the Blessed Sacrament?
Roumie: I’ve had a few moments. Consolation is a good word to describe it. I’ve had several moments of deep peace and consolation, especially when I needed it the most. Feeling consolation is different than finding existential clarity or spiritual knowledge or anything like that. I’ve found this sense of deep, deep peace at times when I really needed it.
Our Sunday Visitor: Is there a specific chapel that you find particularly meaningful?
Roumie: There is, but if I were to tell you, it would be inundated with people! If you don’t mind, I’ll keep that a secret.
Receiving the Eucharist gives me the spiritual energy needed to portray Jesus authentically in the upcoming season.
Our Sunday Visitor: How do you encourage others to understand the gift of the Eucharist? What have you found effective when you talk about the Eucharist?
Roumie: Everyone who wants to speak about the Eucharist has to speak from within and rely on the Holy Sprit. For myself, I can only tell people what spending time with the Blessed Sacrament does for me. I’m not going to try to sell it to somebody. People have to come to him through the Holy Spirit. But I can and will say, “This is what happened to me, this is what I get from this Sacrament.” Years ago, I fell to my knees in front of a crucifix my uncle gave to me from Jerusalem in my apartment and surrendered to God’s will, and it changed my life. But leading up to that, I spent time in different churches, just sitting there, contemplating God’s will for me. Now, years later, I sit in gratitude, seeing all the things that God has done for me, as well as bringing my intentions for my family and friends.
Our Sunday Visitor: Sitting here, I’m noticing you’re wearing some very striking jewelry. Can you tell us about what you wear and why?
Roumie: I usually wear a rosary ring and a silver ring with Our Lady of Guadalupe. I also have skull rings symbolizing Memento Mori, reminding me of the transitory nature of life and the need to aspire to sainthood. We have limited time in this life, and I need to be reminded about how I should spend my energies. I also wear a brown scapular given to me by Carmelite nuns and a rosary bracelet from Ghirelli, an Italian family of artisans.
Everyone who wants to speak about the Eucharist has to speak from within and rely on the Holy Spirit.
Our Sunday Visitor: Do you have a favorite saint?
Roumie: St. Padre Pio and St. John Paul II are my favorites. Both have influenced me deeply. Both saints had a deep devotion to the Eucharist, especially to celebrating Mass. I love John Paul II’s connection to the arts, because he was an artist, as well. Both saints have shown up in my dreams and invited me to pray with them. I don’t know why. It’s never happened with any other saints.
Our Sunday Visitor: Any final encouragement for Catholics facing challenges today?
Roumie: Embrace the Eucharist, tradition, and the apostolic succession. Jesus is our founder, and that’s the most real connection we have. Stay strong in faith and draw from the rich heritage of our Church.
