An EWTN Event: “Across” – Fr. Augustus Tolton’s Inspiring Journey from Slavery To Sainthood

By Debbie Cowden

The true story of the first African American priest – who is now on the path to sainthood – premieres this week on EWTN! Join us Wednesday, Dec. 18, for a special “EWTN Event” which includes the short film, “Across.” Find EWTN locally at https://www.ewtn.com/tv/channel-finder.

The Event begins with “EWTN Live” at 8 p.m. ET when Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa discusses Fr. Tolton’s life and the film, “Across,” with Producer Christopher Foley and the Most Rev. Joseph Perry, Historical Consultant for “Across” and Postulator for the cause for canonization of Father Tolton.

Then, at 10 p.m. ET, EWTN premieres “Across,” a short drama about young Gus Tolton’s courageous attempt to flee from slavery during the American Civil War.

Though Tolton faced tremendous obstacles in his childhood, he persevered in faith and fidelity to God and not only escaped slavery, but pursued the priesthood, and even studied in Rome. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago opened Tolton’s cause for canonization in 2011. In June of this year, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of a “Degree of Heroic Virtue,” which means Fr. Tolton now can be referred to as “Venerable Augustus Tolton.”

Since the Church obviously believes Tolton’s life was filled with “heroic virtue,” why would filmmakers choose to focus only on Tolton’s childhood, particularly, his escape from slavery?

There are two reasons: First, this stand-alone short film is part of a two-hour feature film that is in the works, hopefully to be released in 2020 or 2021.

Second, Tolton’s escape from slavery is a pivotal moment in the life of this budding saint. When Gus was 10-years-old, his father fled the fields of Missouri and a brutal slave master to join the Union army in the Civil War. In order to escape to freedom in Illinois, Gus had to help his mom, brother, and baby sister outrun slave catchers and Confederate soldiers while attempting to cross the Mississippi River. Obviously, this was a formative time for the boy!

See the dramatic retelling of an American Catholic hero’s true story by tuning in to this week’s EWTN Event!

Learn more about Fr. Tolton’s life and legacy in Deacon Harold Burke Siver’s gripping book, “Father Augustus Tolton,” available at ewtnRC.com: http://bit.ly/ERC80589