A special screening of Tolton: From Slave to Priest will be held Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. at Parkade Cinema in Manchester.

The new film from Saint Luke Productions tells the remarkable story of Venerable Augustus Tolton, who was born into slavery and overcame extraordinary racial barriers to become America’s first Black Catholic priest.

Unable to enter a seminary in the United States because of his race, Tolton eventually traveled to Rome, where he studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1886. Returning to the United States, he devoted his priesthood to serving people of all races despite the prejudice and opposition he encountered.

His life is a powerful witness to faith, perseverance and the dignity of every person. Pope Francis declared Father Tolton Venerable in 2019, recognizing that he lived a life of heroic virtue.