The Making of a Saint
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago with Michael O'Neill, host of EWTN's The Miracle Hunter
On September 13, Michael O'Neill, host of the weekly EWTN radio show, The Miracle Hunter, and the television show, Explore with the Miracle Hunter, visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. He presented clips from his new documentary on the life of foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik that aired on EWTN. He also did a short presentation entitled, "The Making of a Saint." Michael discussed the steps one takes to be named a Saint in the Catholic Church. He also provided interesting tidbits on the lives of famous Saints and the miracles that elevated them to sainthood.
A photo still from the Mother Mary Theresa
documentary.
Earlier in May, Michael had come to Our Lady of Victory Convent to film interviews with various people and portray life reenactments with actors about Mother Mary Theresa's life. Eventually he turned this into a thirty-minute documentary that aired on EWTN on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. It is now available to view on the Sisters' website (chicagofranciscans.org). The entire project was a wonderful experience for all. “Getting the chance to present the saintly life of Mother Theresa Dudzik to EWTN's global audience has been a real blessing for me, and not just because I myself am a Polish Catholic guy from Chicago! It has been rewarding to more fully understand her role in the founding of the Order and see how her charism and spirit truly lives on in the work of the Sisters even today," Michael said.
Sister M. Bernadette Bajuscik prepares for her interview, which will be featured in the newly expanded hour-long documentary on Mother Mary Theresa's life.
The final project was so well received that the Sisters decided to expand the documentary to an hour. There was quite a bit of extra quality footage left over from editing. In October, Michael sent over a member of his team tonfilm an interview with General Minister, Sister M. Bernadette Bajuscik. In the coming hourlong re-edited version, Sister Bernadette’s interview will be featured. “I am truly excited for the opportunity to continue to tell the story of Mother Mary Theresa - this time in an hour-long format. We have some new interviews and footage to shine the light more fully on her amazing life. Some of the things that I was so torn about leaving on the cutting room floor in the half hour show, will in fact, make it into this version, so I will look forward to an even more detailed remembrance of her amazing life,” Michael said.
Once finished, the full hour-long documentary will be viewable on the Sisters' website and shared on social media for all to see. Michael continues to host his weekly radio show, The Miracle Hunter, and his Catholic travel show, Explore with the Miracle Hunter, with new episodes on the way. “The latest episodes feature my explorations of England, Ireland, Poland, Lithuania, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. I am also launching a brand new series, Hidden Gems: Catholic Shrines in America, hosted by Nell Andrzejewski of Catholic Church Tours beginning on November 27 on EWTN.” The Sisters thank Michael for all the work he has done in making this documentary and bringing attention to the life of Mother Mary Theresa. The thirty-minute version is now available.
Photo stills from the upcoming Mother Mary Theresa documentary.