Something New for Lent–“40: The Series”

January 18, 2012 in 2012, Banner for Slideshow, Lent

40: The Series to Dramatically
Prepare Viewers for Lent

Click Here to access Reflections and Facilitators’ Guides to this and previous episodes of 40:The Series

40: The Series begins with seven strangers who appear to be the only survivors of a mysterious, calamitous event: Los Angeles is empty, devoid of people. No sign remains of family, neighbors or co-workers. No space ship hovers over the city, there are no zombies or flesh-eating viruses. Just seven strangers who share the same iridescent blue mark on the shoulder, a tiny, precise square of color that wasn’t there yesterday. Were they chosen? Or have they been culled? By whom? For what purpose?

Award-Winning Writer/Director Michael Breault, S.J. was compelled to develop the series, stating, “A thrilling, post-apocalyptic drama to help further one’s Lenten experience takes storytelling to a whole new level and has simply never been done before. 40 is not just a series, it’s unique in that it also serves as a Lenten allegory. At the heart of each episode are questions and scriptural meditations, designed to truly enhance a person’s Lenten journey.”

Executive Producer Eddie Siebert, S.J. also shares his enthusiasm for 40: “Loyola Productions is thrilled to partner with the Chicago-Detroit Province and Loyola Press in creating an innovative way to reflect on and prepare for Lent. Utilizing a cutting-edge medium combined with mixed media to prepare for a centuries-old spiritual tradition is very exciting for us and the entire Jesuit Community.” 40 stars George Gallagher, Ethan Flower, Cherinda Kincherlow, Peggy Miley, Jan, Broberg, Caroline Pho, Jack Little and Damon Murphy. Episodes will air on Mondays and Wednesdays during Lent.

MORE ABOUT 40

40 is a Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Drama
Seven strangers appear to be the only survivors of a mysterious, calamitous event: Los Angeles is empty, devoid of people. No sign remains of family, neighbors or coworkers. No space ship hovers over the city, there are no zombies, or flesh-eating viruses. Just seven strangers, who share the same iridescent blue, mark on the shoulder, a tiny, precise square of color that wasn’t there yesterday. Were they chosen? Or have they been culled? By whom? For what purpose? Their search for answers leads the seven to an even greater mystery. Why do they suddenly feel compelled to leave the safety of the city for an unknown destination? And why does the number 40 suddenly exert such power over them? Why are they being drawn towards whatever 40 represents with such compulsion, such longing?
40 is a Lenten Allegory.
Although the dramatic journey of the seven survivors stands on its own as a rewarding viewing experience it also provides fertile ground for prayer, conversation, meditation and study. The plot, characters and events of 40 deliberately echo the great themes of Lent. The biweekly episodes are carefully structured to compliment the specific themes of that week of Lent. Exile and journeying, loss and grief, hunger and, thirst, mortification and fasting, sin and redemption, the path through the desert and the way of the Cross—all are dramatically “mirrored” by the story unfolding, onscreen. “Keys” for exploring 40 as a Lenten allegory accompany each episode. The “keys” lead to scriptural passages or commentaries, to sermons, poems, or literary allusions and to insights or illustrations that draw from sources ranging from the Pentateuch to Bruce Springsteen.
40 is an Innovative Tool for Observing Lent.
Download episodes on your home computer for family viewing. Catch the latest episode on your Smartphone during lunch. Explore the wealth of supplementary material at your own pace or use Twitter and Facebook to share your insights with friends. At home, at work or in the classroom—40 is the perfect complement to your Lenten experience.

40: The Series
Loyola Productions’ new post-apocalyptic drama 40, produced in association with the Chicago-Detroit Province and Loyola Press, premieres Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012, offering viewers a one-of-a-kind Lenten experience. Available exclusively on the web, two new episodes will air each week during Lent on the series’ original website as well as on Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook, with updates available via Twitter. Each of the 14 episodes acts as a Lenten allegory and provides meditative reflections centered on the scriptural references contained in each episode, shepherding viewers right up to Easter Triduum.
Follow the Midwest Jesuits on Facebook and Twitter for details as they become available.