Fr. Mike and Mark Wahlberg on Father Stu | What "Picking Up Your Cross" Looks Like 

Fr. Stu was our Priest, and my friend in the two years he spent in Anaconda, MT. We watched him get weaker and weaker, but he never lost his enthusiasm for Jesus and all of us. He was so fond of the children, and was very special to my parents, especially my mom. I remember him telling me he had to leave and go into a nursing home. He had tears in his eyes and said he didn't want to leave. But he could no longer offer Mass because he couldn't lift his chalice. He was heartbroken. Yet he continued bringing his love for others in the nursing home, and helped everyone ge could. I sure miss him...✝️

You can tell that Mark feels a lot more comfortable talking to Fr. Mike about this movie compared to other interviews he’s done. God bless him for making this film

Let’s give Father Mike a big thumbs up!

I'm 50 and coincidently have just come to this point in my life. About the same time, I found Ascention and Father Mike, and then Bishop Barron, and now I'm feeling the pull towards Catholicism ❤️. I have felt the weight of my suffering lift, completely transformed. I now see it's purpose as my own redemptive grace. Cerebrally I always knew it, but now I truly understand it on a deep level. It's liberating and humbling and joyous at the same time. Blessings to all who are still suffering and on the path to accepting and understanding their own redemption, and how that works, by grace, for you and others eternal souls 🙏❤️

Just got out of the movie. As a mother who recently lost her son to a similar disease, I must say, the suffering does bring you closer to God, you find the sweet tender love of Jesus along with the sorrowful heart that is bleeding with grief. God bless Mark for this great work, and everyone else involved in the making.

I saw it tonight. I'm thrilled that we're getting more realistic religious stories being told.

I went tonight. Loved the movie. I was in shock to hear about the Myositis diagnosis. I had Myositis. Very weak. Prayed and kept the faith and ask st padre Pio for help and I am Myositis free for several years. 😀

I haven't gone to the theater in 25 years. But I will go to see this movie.

This is the first movie in over 2 and a half years that I’ve actually wanted to go see in the movie theater

Saw "Fr Stu" last night with my husband! We ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! My husband said "that was the BEST Catholic Christian movie I have EVER SEEN" and yeah, I had to drag my husband to go see it-LOL...WE BOTH LOVED IT! A MUST See!!! Well Done Mark, Mel & ALL involved!!!!

Even Christ suffered while carrying HIS cross, we take up our cross everyday with the help of our Loving Father. Thank you Father Mike and May God Bless! May everyone have a Blessed Easter!

Amen. This is a story of suffering, trust, surrender , love and mercy. Can’t wait to see the movie. We so need to hear this message Father. Thank you. God bless you Father Mike.

I feel such a coward in life, I didn’t take my cross… I choose a way out against God will… and I repent for it…please know Fr. Mike you are the answer to my prayers,and all of you in the community please know you are like the family that encourages me to be better. May God bless you all.🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻

I've listened to many of Mr. Wahlberg's interviews on this movie and yours was the best - nicely done. Big Teresa said, do not pray for a lighter cross, but for a stronger back.

I watched this movie in an empty theater. It was bittersweet. Definitely a story that needs to be shared. I wish I could tell you “Amazing job Mark!” But I doubt you’ll never see this. There’s a lot of really impactful lines in this movie that have moved me - especially “I think God saw something in you worth saving. But it’s up to you to decide what it is that you have to offer”

Yes yes, redemptive suffering is so beautiful and draws you close to Christ. His yoke is light. Amen Amen

I am so grateful that as a Catholic we have a representative in Hollywood in Mark Wahlberg. He has undeniably continued to praise his faith. Thank you for making this movie Mark but more importantly for the unabashed way you go about taking about Catholicism in a sinister world. May God continue to bless you and thank you Fr. Mike for all you do!! (I used clips from your videos recently when speaking to high school juniors and seniors regarding their college and career path. 😇🙏

Whenever I question suffering I must come back to this video.

I can't wait to see this movie. My dad passed away just a year ago from complications of inclusion body myositis. He's watching with a smile from Heaven I know. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, just like Father Stu.

Before I was a believer, the father of a boy in my daughter's class got cancer. I was so sad for their family. His dad, Terry Baker, wrote articles for the newspaper about his journey with cancer. He loved Jesus and I remember wondering why he'd love a God that would let him get cancer. I read his articles every time they came out. Seeing the love and trust he had in Jesus planted a huge seed in me. I tell people about him all the time and how he drew me closer to Jesus. I've been a Christian now for 21 years and I'm still talking about Terry.

We just got home from seeing this movie. A must see for everyone!!!

Saw the movie last night and am still processing. It touched me on a very deep level. Wahlberg and Gibson deserve Oscars.

I officially was baptized, confirmed, and got my first communion yesterday! As well as my 5 kids I raise (sisters kids I adopted). It is really thanks to Father Mike here, ands yesterday was so amazing. So much time and effort and learning out in, and it wasn’t always easy but I am so glad I did it. Thank you Father Mike. I truly believe you will be a saint.

I have experienced healing miracles personally. When my infant son died, even though I knew God could heal him, my son's death really broke me. But God met me in that brokeness. I'm not saying I didn't grieve after that but I came to understand God the Father in a deeper way in my grief.

Looking forward to the Fr Stu movie! 🍿

I went with our Bible study group yesterday when the movie opened at the theatre….it was amazing I left feeling humbled and guilty because I had to use a walker and wasn’t happy about it and in pain since I’m having knee replacement surgery on Monday GW🙏which is nothing compared to what this Priest went through I came out Blessed and humbled ✝️💜✝️

I just watched Fr Stu today. I loved it. So inspiring. This showed me that ALL people can be forgiven and find God.. Thank you Mark for getting this message out there. God Bless

Thank you Father for doing this interview. This movie will be perfect for my 5 grandsons. All in their 20s and questioning all of their Catholic upbringing. The R rating will let them know that Grandma never recommends and R movie….so maybe they’ll go see it🙂. I’m praying for you Father. Again thank you!

Me and my wife watched this movie last night. Some of you may need tissues. Very very good movie. I recommend everyone to gonwatch this movie. Also, I think this is Mark Walberg's best acting yet. With all the trials and failures Father Stu had in his life, specially while he was in Seminary school, he never gave up on God. His faith stayed strong.

I’m not Catholic but possibly thinking of watching it…seems like an honest good Christian down to Earth.. and the reality of our Father in Heaven movie. Tough Grace Tough Mercy…sounds strong!

Someone needs to hear this Oh Lord! God almighty! I magnify your name! Yaweh I give you all the glory for my life! Forgive my sins and my un confessed sins Lord! L0rd I want more of you and less of me! I thank you for your protection! I am truly blessed and highly favored I sit in heavenly places and I am the son of a mighty King! I love you Jesus! Lord I pray for those who don't know you in a intimate way that they will humble themselves and come to know you on bending knee asking for their forgiveness! Father I bind the spirit of pride! I cut it off at the head and send it back to the pit of he'll in which it has come from! I release love, kindness, patience, humility in the name 0f Jesus! I followed my heart and I am glad I did. I lost my wife 2 years ago due to the pandemic and I was about giving up, knowing G0d has brought me this far was for a purpose and I kept on looking on to him. My destiny helper was sent to me the year my wife died. The moment I was about giving up, I was introduced to a business by a man I met in a seminar I went to in Florida. This was not my first time hearing of such business but I took the risk Investin 1000 USD and it was worth it feedback@markhanfarmer. COM 4 weeks later I kept on getting earnings and I started using the m0ney for G0ds wOrk. I am very popular in Maryland. Doing Gods work always give me joy. There is peace and joy in my mind. I am here to motivate you and tell you never to give up even though the situation seems so though, God has promised his children and he will surely d0 what he has promised his children.

We just got back from the theater. This movie was leaps and bounds better than I've seen in forever. It has all the feelz. We laughed heartily and were silent in grief. I highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a good film to watch.

Thank you Mark!! I'm so proud of you for doing a movie like this!! And thank you Fr. Mike for helping us all more and more with every video!! God bless you both!!

This interview made me laugh out loud! I’m not sure Fr. Mike actually got a full question out 😁. Loved it anyway. Such a a good word 💖

#AskAscension I would LOVE to see a Fr Mike video on the reason/importance of parents being the primary catechists for their children. Please, please, please!!!

Can’t wait to see the movie! Mel and Mark! Yay! I’m 74, 16 grandkids and no doubt most of them will see the movie! Can’t wait! Thank you for inspirational movies with redemptive suffering! A great priest told me years ago- wasted suffering is wasted redemption ! Es la verdad!!!!!

It sounds like a good movie to see for opening us to the real God of salvation. God bless. Claire.

Thank you for the reminder about picking up our cross, Fr. Mike. This is why I love being Catholic - God has bestowed us dignity and purpose to do his will despite our own failings and unwanted suffering. Let us trust God always.

Beautiful. I have encountered, spoken and cried with so many Christians who are suffering and they are praying that God will take away their pain. I thought that too. But this is a beautiful explanation and it opened my eyes. What we need to pray ito God is to help us handle our trials and tribulations better. How to accept them or how to live with our pain. To ask God to walk with us through our pain. Thanks for opening my eyes.

I loved Father Stu, such a good movie. It was an honor to get to watch it. My favorite line of the movie was “Don’t pray for an easy life, but pray for the courage to endure a difficult one”. You’re right, it’s not a kids movie but it’s a real movie that everyone should find an opportunity to watch

Saw this movie….absolutely excellent! All about brokenness, redemption and redemptive suffering. Thank you to all who participated in this movie. The world really needs this message.

Wow! Out of all the Father Stu interviews this is the best

Happy Holy Week. I am praying for you, Father Mike

I wish there was a book about father Stu’s life, I’d love to be able to send it to someone who is incarcerated. He is Catholic and loves Mel Gibson but mostly loves the Lord. This book would mean a lot to him

It’s all good. Mark looked so tired. Hope he gets some rest. Sometimes leading the way helps when we’re exhausted.

I loved the film. 7 of my friends and I went to the movie theater with the intention of supporting our Catholic faith and the idea of it being in the big screen from a real perspective. Watching this movie was definitely life changing since it portrays a new way of looking at the faith. It is common among us the youth, to look at it with a "rule-following" or "very strict" lense. However, Mark Wahlberg on his Father Stu act, shows the faith in a more personal and tangible way. In a way that involves fraternity, having fun, playing basketball with friends, forgiving those that we... you know... wanna punch in the face. Waiting for more movies like this!

I watched the movie with my 13, 12 & 10 yr old and no regrets, there are movies that have more adult content and are rated lower. Love the movie God bless all the cast and crew that made this movie.

Amen!!!! So many people need to hear this message.

It was a great interview. Very authentic. Most interviewers are just going through the motions, you listened and brought up unique insights. 👍🏼

I loved the movie. The language was authentic. To me the movie speaks of recovery (12steps). And the theme throughout was the Serenity Prayer in action. The closing scene of the circle of chairs, and the dad saying “I’m Bill... ‘ confirmed it for me.

Your insights and talk with Mark Wahlberg made the movie even more relevant for me to see. Thank you, Fr Mike.

It is a wonderful movie. There is a scene about halfway through the credits you will want to see so don't leave early 🙂

This story helps me read the book of job which I find there is so much suffering and when someone is depressed such as myself it’s kind of hard to read but with God’s love I keep going back to read and learn Amen 🙏 Give me strength God give me strength

Thank you Mark for giving us something worthwhile to see at the movies. God bless you. God bless Fr. Mike.

Two of my Daughters took me to the movies on my birthday and I wanted to see Father Stu. I am currently on my journey of The Bible in a Year as well so I felt drawn to watch this film. I was brought to tears because I’m human, therefore I’m broken, so I can relate. Great movie. Inspiring. Seeing the way God works should give us all hope.

God bless Mark for portraying Father Stu in this great movie.

I will see this. Thank you, Father Mike. The Walhlberg family has done some amazing things to help people in the real.

Wow what a movie saw it and was great. Gritty movie didn't sugar coat the true story of father stu. Cried through the movie as someone who had everything sinned, then God hit me with a 2x4. Turned my life around God is good

Loved this! “Tough mercy & tough grace” - what a challenge for us to sit at the feet of Jesus, not taking our suffering as a sign that He isn’t there with us, but as an opportunity to take comfort in knowing that we can use our suffering as vehicle to increase our faith and reliance on the Lord 🤍 Looking forward to watching this movie!

Thank you Fr. Mike, for your inspiration to continue to follow the LORD our GOD!!! HAPPY HOLY WEEK!! AMEN!!!✝️🙏🕊️💜✝️

“He didn’t come to relieve our suffering but to redeem it…to transform it “ Thank you Father Mike for explaining this so beautifully! On the Cross, Our Lord said “I thirst.” He thirsted not for water or vinegar….He thirsted for souls! Especially the ones lost, the broken, the hard-hearted, the sinners. Jesus THIRSTS for all souls….as He gives His life to redeem all. Come to Him. Come to the foot of the Cross, all that feel broken and undeserving of Christ’s love and mercy…He is crucified for you, and for all mankind that all mankind may be reconciled to the Father. Come to the foot of the Cross all who are weak and weary…the hopeless and ashamed. Our Crucified Lord LOVES you…He rejoices in gathering His “lost sheep.” Be not afraid, for His sacrifice is for ALL. Absolute love and mercy are offered by Him for all! Ad Pedum Crucem A mercifully redeemed woman

I absolutely LOVE THIS MOVIE! I just finished watching it and had to jump on RU-vid to comment on all the trailers. It was hysterical and had me in tears 😭. Haven’t seen a movie this good in such a long time. Thank God the story was told with rawness, cursing, rated R because any other way would have been fake. Praying for a HUGE success at the box office 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Fr Mike may seem agreeable but it's just that hes so selfless so he really takes the conversation to another level of positivity and insight. 🤙

A MUST WATCH MOVIE ✝️🙏💜especially during Easter weekend…what an appropriate movie ….it’ll open our eyes I cried throughout the movie 🥲🥲🥲🥲✝️🙏💜

Thank you Fr Mike 💫 "Jesus came to redeem and transform our suffering. And no matter what happens I can trust in Jesus even at the hour of my death" 🌻

Father, thank you so much for this. Your explanation of suffering is incredible and I needed it in my life. God Bless you!

Hello Father Mike Schmitz! I just wanted to let you know that I was baptized, confirmed, and received Holy Communion at this Easter vigil this year. The first few masses I went to were your live-streamed masses last February during COVID. Your homilies and videos on virtue and relationships inspired me to see Our Lord present in the Eucharist in person. Ever since then I felt the call the enter the Church. Thank you for being such a wise, humorous, and radically authentic witness of the Lord’s grace. I will be keep you and all of the men of the priesthood in my prayers. God bless you and Viva Cristo Rey!

Great message and very interesting comment; "They weren't equipped to deal with the loss of a younger son". I experienced the same thing in 2004 when my son died. Thank God for his grace and patience and now "Coming Home to Rome".

Great interview, Fr. Mike. I enjoyed it. I can't wait to see Fr. Stu. Your message at the end hit home for me. Thank you.

Saw this movie this afternoon, such a great film but definitely not for kids. Adult themes throughout. Talk about a walk of Faith, very inspiring life and giving it back to God.

Thank you father Mike. You always seem to reveal Gods word to me!!

Very powerful! I saw the movie and felt the pain of his family’s suffering after the loss his young brother. The transformation at his Baptism showed me the Power of being embraced as a true Child of God. I pray that this movie will bring about many conversions. Fantastic acting. Thank you Fr. And Mark Wahlberg for sharing this incredible true story.

I saw Father Stu twice in 4 days. I cried like a baby both times. I tell everyone to see it! It is life changing, how wonderful that Mark Walberg made this movie for us. Hod bless him and all involved. The director and screenwriter is perfection! See this movie!

Amen, loved the movie. The movie really has inspired me to completely surrender my life to Jesus. Mark and Mel what a perfect father and son duo. I hope they will continue their journey in bringing more faith inspired movies.

I caught it Fr. Mike, Mark Wahlberg can read minds, he answered your questions before you asked it. Looking forward to watching the movie 🎥🍿 God bless you both, thanks for the interview 😊🙏🏼👍🏼🍻 God bless all my brothers in sisters in the comments. 👍🏼

Great visit Father. From Argentina God bless you.

I just watched the movie today and I loved it. Well done Mark Wahlberg and team 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I laughed, cried and it left me with much hope! Thank you Fr Mike for this interview. I noticed that Mark didn’t hear your point of the bench scene (he thought you were just talking about Carmen) and I, like you even enjoyed that silly scene.

Fr. Mike's explanation is a definite prerequisite for anyone who wants to see this movie. Thanks so much for the clarity.

May God bless you father mike! You are truly living out what God is calling you to do

Father, Your insights and questions were excellent.

Happy Holy Week to you, Father Mike. Thank you for being such a good shepherd. May God continue to bless your work in Him. Lisa B.

I love listening to you Father Mike and listening to you interviewing one of my favourite actors, Mark Wahlberg (the other being Jonathan Roumie) was extra special. I can't wait to see Fr Stu! I am following you in Bible in a Year and love your explanations at the end. I am so blessed to have been introduced to you via the Hallow App🙏

I Watched this because of Mark Whalberg. But what you said at the end, after he left, moved me so deeply and reminded me of my Love of God. Thank you for talking to Mark who brought me here. I have subscribed. And I am not even Catholic!

Thank you Fr., you remind me so much of my Cousin, the late Msgr. Tom Hartman. God be with you.

Love this Fr. Mike! The description of how we begin to trust God and then journey through life to know Him and love Him!

Thanks to father Mikes Bible in a year , i was able to understand a lot more during mass. I hadn’t heard of this movie, as I’m listening to this I happened to pass a billboard with the movie. I’m deff going to watch it. 🙏

God Bless you, Father Mike! Happy Holy Week! My life has been so positively impacted by the Bible In A Year! I’m on day 174…..Thank you for this wonderful gift….Look forward to seeing Father Stu…..thank you again🙏✝️😘

Your love for God is so inspirational & contagious. So beautiful. You are a true gift Father. TY

I saw it this evening-it was EXCELLENT!

Saw it this afternoon. Very moving. Very hopeful. Hope, faith, love.

Thank you For Mike. God Bless You.

Saw this yesterday in ATL and LOVED IT. So inspiring, so moving, cried a few times. Thank you!! Good job Mark and crew.

Thank you, Lord, 🙏keep planting that seed...

I loved this movie! Was very powerful and so real. All humans are broken

I haven’t seen the movie but I want to see it. Fr. Mike, good heavens when do you find the time, not to watch a movie, but to do even one more thing. God really does moves you.

This is one of the best true story movie I’ve seen . So many emotional aspects . Acting was top notch . Well done 👏👏🙏

Thank you Father Mike! It’s critical for us to share that the Christian Faith is not an easy walk. When we live with open hands we commit to the possibility that life may take things from our hands, things that we’d like to keep. And, it also comes with the possibility that life may drop something into our hands that we never ever wanted. Living with open hands requires a dedicated faith - trusting and relying upon Jesus as our first and last resource in all of Life’s circumstances. Praying the power of film stirs the hearts, minds and spirits of all who are courageously willing to journey down the path of Love, Grace & Mercy.

Loved this story of multiple conversion and redemptive suffering! Nice interview with Mark, Father! I hope he is right - we pray for a movement!!!

Give the guy who edits these videos a raise. Just phenomenal.

Thank you Father