The real story of Father Stuart Long, portrayed in "Father Stu" movie by Mark Wahlberg

The real story of Father Stuart Long, portrayed in "Father Stu" movie by Mark Wahlberg
Catholic News Agency
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247638/helena-priest-father-stu-to-be-portrayed-in-film-starring-mark-wahlberg-mel-gibson

Father Stuart Long, who was a priest of the Diocese of Helena, is the main character in the motion picture "Fr. Stu" starring Mark Wahlberg as the priest himself and Mel Gibson as the priest’s father.

Father Stu, as he was affectionately known, pursued careers in boxing, acting, teaching, and museum management before discerning the priesthood.

“He was intense in his worldly life and he was intense in his priesthood,” said Dan Bartleson, communication services director for the Diocese of Helena. “His priestly ministry to the diocese here was transformative.”

Wahlberg originally started working on the film in 2016, two years after Father Stu died at the age of 50. The movie was put on hold for a couple years until Wahlberg was able to secure Rosalind Ross as scriptwriter.

“It’s based on a true story,” said Father Bart Tolleson, a priest of the Diocese of Helena and a longtime friend of Father Stu. “It certainly will take liberties with the story, but it will get interest in his life, and that alone is a good thing. It’s a great story.”

Father Stu attended Carroll College, a Catholic university, but wasn’t Catholic at the time. He remembers being required to attend Mass as part of football game preparation, according to an interview with The Montana Catholic in 2010. In the same interview, he shared that he would often argue with the teachers, interrupt class, and ask ignorant questions that didn’t relate to the content.

“His conversion is phenomenal, from being an agnostic trouble maker to having a mystical encounter with God,” Father Tolleson said. “Then, he decided to become a priest.”

An avid athlete, Father Stu played football for Carroll College, and later, pursued boxing, winning the Montana Golden Gloves championship in 1985. Faced with reconstructive jaw surgery after a fight, Father Stu gave up boxing and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Though he had some success with commercials and work as an extra in the movies, it was not the career he imagined.

While acting, he worked at a nightclub that was a comedy club and a bar. Finished with acting, he traded in the nightlife to work for the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California, where he eventually became the manager for seven years. He would ride his motorcycle, an artifact of his acting days, to and from the museum.

“One day, I was riding home after work, and I got hit by a car, and I smashed into a car in the next lane with my head,” Father Stu shared in the 2010 interview. “The witnesses told the sheriffs and reporters that I was rolling down the road and another car ran over the top of me. And here I am.”

The accident proved pivotal in Father Stu’s conversion, leading him to have what he called a “religious experience” while in the hospital. Upon returning home and discussing marriage with his then-girlfriend, he entered RCIA. On the day he was baptized, he knew he was going to become a priest, he shared in the 2010 interview.

He discerned entering a religious order in New York, but ultimately decided to become a secular priest, for the Diocese of Helena. In 2003, he entered Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon.

During seminary, Father Stu had hip surgery wherein a fist-size tumor was discovered. He was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, an inflammatory condition in the muscles for which there is no cure. His body was already slowing down when he was ordained to the priesthood in December 2007.

“That cross of his disease was the most powerful way to serve people,” said Father Tolleson. “He was tireless in his service and the Lord gave him many beautiful gifts, of counsel, of providing the sacraments. He was fearless even though he was limited.”

The extent to which the Wahlberg film will cover the priesthood of Father Stu remains unknown, but it will be a “stepping stone to knowing who Father Stuart Long was,” said Father Tolleson.

“If Hollywood wants to tell part of Father Stu’s story, we think that’s a positive,” said Bartleson. “If that creates some energy around his life, then we would see that as a blessing, a part of something that is already going on here.”

Mark Wahlberg will make a great priest I think

yes. J.E.B. Stuart was a great man. his only major failure was not veing able to grab the paymasters before they paid the troops.

The fact that he chose Catholicism shows that they will take ANYONE and call them a "priest". Ignorance of scripture is how one "chooses" a cult and believes that they are following and worshipping a god. Since the devil is and was an "angel of light", he is very clever and is able to deceive the ignorant.

You can go through the Internet and get a "ministerial" license which you can then turn into a state license to marry people. You don't have to be a Christ follower or Christian, you only have to meet the state requirements...

RV wrote:The fact that he chose Catholicism shows that they will take ANYONE and call them a "priest"

SIGH. 

Its all coming back to me now, why I left his forum. Anti-Catholic bigotry and hate runs deep here.

Let me tell you something: With God’s grace the Catholic Church started hospitals to care for the sick; we establish orphanages and help the poor; we are the largest charitable organization on the planet, bringing relief and comfort to those in need. We educate more children than any other scholarly or religious institution. We developed the scientific method and laws of evidence. We founded the college system; we defend the dignity of all human life, and uphold marriage and family. Cities were named after our revered saints who navigated a sacred path before us. Guided by the Holy Spirit we compiled the Bible; we are transformed by sacred scripture and sacred tradition, which have consistently guided us for 2,000 years.

LETS COMPARE THAT to the hucksters and frauds on Sunday television shows, bilking old folks for their last dollar, Jim Bakker sentenced to five years on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy, Benny Hinn and his "BAM you're healed" spectacles, and many more.

IF YOU DISAGREE with our teachings, then at least disagree respectfully. If you are the Christian you claim to be that should not be a problem right?

RV wrote:The fact that he chose Catholicism shows that they will take ANYONE and call them a "priest". Ignorance of scripture is how one "chooses" a cult and believes that they are following and worshipping a god. Since the devil is and was an "angel of light", he is very clever and is able to deceive the ignorant.

You can go through the Internet and get a "ministerial" license which you can then turn into a state license to marry people. You don't have to be a Christ follower or Christian, you only have to meet the state requirements...

To say I'm dissapointed in you would be an understatement.
Calling Catholics a cult is surely indicative of extreme Christian blindness and prejudice towards Christianity itself.
Reminds me of Roadmaster.

Getting a lay licence to marry people like a justice of the peace is a huge strawman/red herring deflection and has nothing to do with Catholics.

RV wrote:The fact that he chose Catholicism shows that they will take ANYONE and call them a "priest". Ignorance of scripture is how one "chooses" a cult and believes that they are following and worshipping a god. Since the devil is and was an "angel of light", he is very clever and is able to deceive the ignorant.

You can go through the Internet and get a "ministerial" license which you can then turn into a state license to marry people. You don't have to be a Christ follower or Christian, you only have to meet the state requirements...

It's going to be interesting to explain to @Calypso Jones that her grandkids belong to a cult.

See post below.

it only goes to show some peoples religion makes them blinded by their own self import. i worship The Only True God. and His name is Tengri. Well Him and His Son. i dont believe at anytime did Tengriers attack someone because we thought our God was better than someone elses god. thats the crux of the problem. we tolerate freedom of religion. maybe had we just killed everyone while we had the chance, things would be better now.