The false accuser girl was impaled. A man sentenced twice to death by a ruthless Roman emperor was beheaded by an apostle at the behest of a vengeful queen. A Franciscan monk who gave his life to save another in a Nazi death camp…
Although the backgrounds, circumstances and contexts of their heroic deeds vary widely, these saints share one powerful bond: their selfless devotion and sacrifice that resonates through all ages.
Focus now Fox Nation’s latest exciting docuseries, “The Saints,” — brought to the streaming service by none other than legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese — stand as a testament to faith undiminished by persecution and courage without risk.
“A 14-year-old girl hears voices – the voices of saints, the word of God. They tell her to dress as men, organize an army, lead French soldiers into battle to put the King of Armagnac on the throne, whom she does,” said Scorsese, the series’ “creative godfather,” reflecting on its first episode.
If the story of the 14-year-old girl who cemented her place in history sounds familiar, that’s because it is.
Mark Wahlberg ‘Not Excluded’ From His Faith: ‘It’s Just The Most Important Aspect Of My Life’
Martin Scorsese held a panel discussion with consultant Mary Carr, Father James Martin, author Paul Ely and Father Edward Beck following a special screening of his new FOX Nation series “The Saints.”
She is known as Joan of Arc – a strong leader who believed she was chosen by divine forces to save France from ruin – but her fall came when she became known as a threat and Catholics He was falsely accused of heresy and witchcraft by the clergy. English reason.
“She becomes a political liability, she is captured, she is tried, she is condemned, she is impaled and at that point a dove comes out of the fire. [as she draws her last breath]…” the celebrated filmmaker continued.
Scorsese told Fox Nation viewers that John’s entire body was burnt to ashes except his heart, which miraculously remained intact and full of blood.
At least, that’s the story according to witnesses.
For him, canonization would take nearly 500 years, in 1920 when he was recognized as the patron saint of soldiers by the same church that condemned him to death.
Martin Scorsese says his new Fox Nation series ‘The Saints’ was a story he always wanted to tell
“The Saints” series Joan of Arc opens with the deeply primal and moving story — now available for streaming on Fox Nation — which had its world premiere Thursday at the Whitby Hotel in New York City. The special screening included a panel discussion hosted by Scorsese himself.
“I wasn’t sure it could be done,” Scorsese told the live audience, explaining that the project was originally conceived seven years ago — even though he had “always” wanted to do it.
“I practically grew up living downtown with St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, contemplating the saints, the statues of the various saints, meditating and thinking about their stories,” explained Scorsese. “What is a saint? Is it something supernatural? Can they get something simple from us because we’re human? I felt, ‘No,'” she added. “The point is They are human.”
Scorsese, who won an Academy Award for best director for his 2006 masterpiece “The Departed,” is no stranger to exploring the theme of faith with works like “Silence” and “The Last Temptation of Christ.” was – the latter part of which. “It was banned by everyone,” he joked. The filmmaker said he was particularly compelled. Relive history’s bravest saints. Because each of them asked the question: “How can people live a life of compassion and love?”
Executive producer Martin Scorsese is the “creative godfather” of this docu-drama series that explores eight of history’s most famous saints. (Laura Carreon/Fox)
There was another gentleman who embodied such compassion and love. Polish friar Maximilian Colby, whose episode was also shown in Whitby on Thursday.
It has a more modern story that takes viewers back to 1940s Europe, where between World War II and the Holocaust, Kolbe made the ultimate sacrifice at Auschwitz, volunteering to die in place of a stranger whose Had a family… and met a cruel end.
Kolbe, who was believed by some to share anti-Semitic stereotypes at the height of the war, was “converted by humanity” when, as depicted in the film, he became a victim of torture. After being killed alongside a Jewish prisoner – a man who in his last moments gestured he called his “brother”.
Guardian of Prisoners – And Journalists – will be canonized in 1982. The man whose life he saved was in attendance.
Ohio State Football Players Draw Hundreds for Campus Faith Event: ‘God Revealed in Truth’
Martin Scorsese speaks during his masterclass at Cinema Massimo on October 8, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
“I think so. [stories of the saints] Scorsese said that people only started telling stories about men and women who did extraordinary things and were extraordinary people, who stood up against injustice and oppression and risked their lives to help other people. .
Filmmaker told his live audience How important he feels it is to highlight these same saints for new generations to come, bringing pieces of the past into the present and future.
“Perhaps the fact that there are saints, were saints and still are saints is something that has been lost in our new generation. Because we don’t live with them. So, we thought it was a good idea to try and understand. What is that and what is true faith?”
Heisman frontrunner Ashton Genty credits his faith for ‘ultimate transformation’: ‘My identity is in Christ’
Scorsese said that Christianity, and faith in general, is a path of love, redemption and acceptance. (Gudong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Even now, years after their deaths, the legacy of the saints lives on – bridging the gap between humanity and something greater.
“I had the impression that a lot of people were trying to find religion outside of religion… Some put their energy into politics and justice. For many people it’s meditation and mindfulness… In general, I I know there’s a fear of religion, of their closeness. So, I think the message is … we’ve seen radical love and radical acceptance. Because I use the term ‘radical’. These things are always a revelation… to do so [love others, etc.] You have to expose yourself.”
“You have to risk failure, and embarrassment, and rejection… all of that at any given moment, but that gives you a way to look as wide and deep as possible.”
Click here to join Fox Nation.
“Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” The two-parter will premiere, with the first four episodes set to release on Sunday, November 17, and the final set to conclude in April and May 2025, spanning the Holi season.
Eight episodes Tracing the lives of Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Sebastian, Maximilian Colby, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Becket, Mary Magdalene and Moses the Black, Scorsese and his team will focus 2,000 years on these extraordinary figures. will travel the history of more than Their extreme acts of kindness, selflessness, and sacrifice.
To watch weekly episodes of “The Saints”. Sign up for Fox Nation. And start the series today. Fox Nation is offering a 3-month free trial with promo code “SAINTS.”
Fox News’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.
