Stella Maris Films

29/05/2024

June 2nd! Go see the premiere in Chicago!

A new documentary on Venerable Augustus Tolton will premiere June 2 in Chicago, unveiling the personal letters of America's first openly Black Catholic priest.

The film will screen at the DuSable Museum in Chicago, where the saint-to-be died in 1897. https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.org/new-tolton-film-premiering-june-2/

23/04/2024

Here's a great write-up about our upcoming release: Tolton Speaks!

The documentary "Tolton Speaks: The Life and Letters of Fr. Augustus Tolton" illuminates America's first openly Black Catholic priest via his personal correspondences—heretofore seen only by those working for his sainthood.

It premieres publicly in June. https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.org/tolton-speaks-film/

19/04/2024

30 years ago, a hero was killed for the sake of peace. It's time to tell her story. Learn more at www.stellamarisfilms.com

19/01/2024

Nearly 130 years after his death, thousands of people are drawing inspiration from the incredible life of Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton. Born into slavery and disallowed from entering any seminary in the United States, Tolton defied social expectations and became America's first openly black African-American priest. Through expert interviews, historical documents, and dramatic readings of Tolton's own never-before-seen letters, audiences will hear the inspirational story of Fr. Tolton's life in his own words.

This film was made in collaboration with the Tolton Spirituality Center.

19/01/2024

Coming soon from Stella Maris Films:

17/07/2022

Wow! This kind of a review compels us to keep making meaningful documentaries.

"A Place at the Table", a new documentary from Stella Maris Films, covers the six African-American Catholic saints-to-be and features interviews with those who know their stories best.

Briana Jansky says it succeeds in inspiring hope for the forgotten.

https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.com/a-place-at-the-table-review/

07/07/2022

https://stellamarisfilms.com/store/usb-limited-edition-hand-of-the-master-the-art-and-life-of-dom-gregory-de-wit

We're re-releasing our first feature doc, "Hand of the Master: The Art and Life of Dom Gregory De Wit", on USB. This limited edition comes in a wooden box adorned by De Wit's art. It makes for a great gift and plays instantly in a laptop or smart TV. Plus, it allows you to see De Wit's artwork in a much higher resolution than our previous DVD edition. Get your copy today and learn why Dom Gregory De Wit is the greatest artist you've never heard of!

Watch the feature film on your laptop or smart TV. Perfect to give as a gift or to keep in the classroom. Dom Gregory De Wit created a vast body of religious art that spans Europe and the United States, but his strong personality and bold artistic choices often met incisive criticism. featuring E

28/02/2022

The beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, resting place of Pierre Toussaint.

27/02/2022

Augustus Tolton's mother plans her children's daring escape from slavery. Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

26/02/2022

Behind the scenes photos of our interview with Bishop Perry, a man of God and certainly a friend of Augustus Tolton.

23/02/2022

Child Thea Bowman Makes Sandwiches for the needy.
Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

21/02/2022

An up close shot of the doorway to Sr. Thea Bowman's home, shown to us by one of her former students, Fr. Maurice Nutt.

19/02/2022

Henriette DeLille teaching.
Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

17/02/2022

Behind the scenes of our interview with Michael Heinlein and our visit to her tomb in the old St. Louis Cemetery, one of the most special places we got to film. Scroll to see the cover of Michael's book, "Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood".

15/02/2022

Bishop Perry as he tells the story of how Fr. Tolton, America's first African-American Priest, made a daring escape from slavery. These stunning photos were taken by Ryan Welshans, our Chicago-Unit Director of Photography.

13/02/2022

Julia Greeley pulls her little red wagon to deliver goods to the needy. Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

11/02/2022

Some reflections from director about our new film.

11/02/2022

Augustus Tolton Preaches in the Basement. Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

11/02/2022

Now Showing! Learn the stories of & in this at blacksaintsmovie.com .fr.akg

09/02/2022

Pierre Toussaint cutting hair. Artwork by Jaclyn Warren

07/02/2022

Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman speaking to U.S. Catholic Bishops about what it means to bring her African-American gifts to the Church.

05/02/2022

Fr. Maurice J. Nutt speaks about one of his last encounters with Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman, who was like a mother to him.

03/02/2022

Dustin Caldwell on Servant of God Julia Greeley's devotion to the Sacred Heart.

01/02/2022

Q&A: Send us your questions about our upcoming documentary by Friday! You can leave it in the comments or send us texts/videos directly.

Swipe to see a behind the scenes look at Bishop Joseph N. Perry's interview with photographer Ryan Welshans.

01/02/2022

Michael Heinlein describes Venerable Henriette Delille's courage as a woman of color who lived in racially tense times.

30/01/2022

Br. Tyrone Davis on how Venerable Pierre Toussaint helps African-Americans feel more included in the Church.

29/01/2022

Who's still watching DVDs? Play the movie on your laptop or TV right from this special edition USB. Perfect for the classroom or as a gift. What sort of bonus features or classroom resources would you like to see on this?

Available for purchase Feb. 11 on our website, blacksaintsmovie.com

28/01/2022

Sharon Knecht speaks about what life was like for Servant of God Mother Mary Lange, who would become the founder of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first congregation of African American religious in the history of the Catholic Church.

26/01/2022

Fr. Josh Johnson shares a distressing realization at a local chapel, highlighting the Church's need for increased African-American representation.