Meet America’s first Black Priest, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, in this audio drama adapted from our live stage production. The drama opens with nine-year-old Augustus Tolton’s harrowing escape from slavery to freedom. In a leaky boat with bullets whizzing overhead, his mother courageously rows the family across the Mississippi River. They settle in the town of Quincy, Illinois, where hardships and persecution continue to afflict them. Despite all this, Augustus perseveres in his deep desire to become a Catholic priest. Rejected by all U.S. seminaries, he is finally ordained in Rome. When he returns to America, he tirelessly serves people of all races, especially the former slaves who flock to Chicago.
Actor Jim Coleman’s powerful performance as Father Tolton is complemented by a wide cast of supporting characters. The remarkable story is enhanced with Tony Manfredonia’s moving musical score inspired by traditional African American spirituals.
Since 1980, Saint Luke Productions has been inspiring audiences with dramas focused on the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith. To learn more about our mission and to explore our broad selection of live theater, film and audio productions, visit www.stlukeproductions.com.
Up Next in Audio Dramas
-
The Gospel According to John
“I honestly believe that nothing has theologically formed me more in all my 15 years of studies toward the priesthood than the Gospel of John, especially through Leonardo’s audio performance. I listened to the CD – a lot. After just a year, I basically had the whole thing memorized, and I still l...
-
Maximilian: Saint of Auschwitz
Arrested by the Gestapo and sent to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, a priest comes forward to take the place of a fellow prisoner condemned to die in the starvation bunker. Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s riveting true story comes to life in this powerful one-man audio performance, adapted fr...
-
The Song of Songs
It has been said that everything in the world is not worth the day in which the Song of Songs was given to Israel. Combining dramatic interpretation and music, actors Leonardo and Patti Defilippis present a prayerful meditation on the love of the bridegroom and the bride. Their performance capt...
14 Comments