Father Edward J. Flanagan is a familiar name to many Americans, often for the Oscar-winning 1938 film starring Spencer Tracy about Flanagan’s groundbreaking child welfare organization, Boys Town. But he’s best known for living a life of heroic virtue and sanctity, valiantly serving countless at-risk youth as a mentor and protector. The remarkable story of Father Flanagan is told in the new feature-length documentary, “Heart of a Servant: The Story of Father Flanagan,” which will be released by Fathom Events exclusively in theaters nationwide for one-night only, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
“Heart of a Servant: The Story of Father Flanagan” is narrated by Jonathan Roumie, best known for playing Jesus in the hit TV series “The Chosen”; produced by Spirit Juice Studios; and co-sponsored by the Father Flanagan League. The movie was filmed on location in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Japan and throughout the United States.
Father Flanagan gained influence and admiration over the course of his life from presidents, CEOs, celebrities and more, in the U.S. and as far as Germany and Japan, but none mattered more to him than that of the children for whom he tirelessly worked. A sobering reminder of this was during World War II, as Flanagan saw droves of former Boys Town citizens go off to war. In fact, so many former Boys Town boys named Father Flanagan as their next of kin that the American War Dads Association named him as America’s No. 1 War Dad.
He was named a “Servant of God” by the Archdiocese of Omaha on March 17, 2012, the first step in the canonization process for the Catholic Church to declare him a saint. Father Flanagan was a hero for his times, and for ours, as well: his approach to child welfare remains a top influence in the field, and his frequent outspokenness against injustice showed he was always willing to tell the truth, regardless of risk.
“Father Flanagan was a virtuous man dedicated to serving God and abandoned and orphaned children,” said Rob Kaczmark, co-director and executive producer of “Heart of a Servant: The Story of Father Flanagan.” “He refused to let any obstacles, including racist laws and institutions, stand in the way of caring for countless youth during his lifetime. We hope our movie shines a light upon the miraculous work of Father Flanagan and furthers his cause of canonization.”
The documentary features expert commentary from:
● Dr.Heather Fryer, former professor of history and director of the American Studies, Creighton University
● Steve Wolf, vice postulator for the cause for the beatification and canonization of Servant of God Father Edward J. Flanagan and a Boys Town alumnus
● DeaconOmarF.A. Guiterrez, notary, cause for canonization of Edward J. Flanagan
● ThomasLynch, director of community programs and curator of archives, Boys Town
● Gloria Purvis, media host and racial justice expert
● Fr.Ryan Lewis, J.C.L., Archbishop’s delegate, cause for canonization of Edward J. Flanagan
● Marilyn “Winkie” Takahashi-Fordney, former Boys Town resident
Purchase tickets and learn more about the film at www.fatherflanaganfilm.com