St. Bonaventure University will host the Southern Tier premiere of the documentary about the life of Mother Marianne Cope, the first American Franciscan saint, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
“A Saint for Central New York” will premiere on network television in the Syracuse media market over the Thanksgiving holiday.
St. Marianne, a leader in the field of healthcare, often caring for those considered to be outcasts, was one of seven people made saints by Pope Benedict XVI at the Oct. 21 canonization Mass at the Vatican. 
Known for her charitable works and virtuous deeds, the Utica native spent many years caring for those afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in Hawaii. Despite direct contact with the patients over many years, she did not contract the disease, considered by the faithful to be miraculous.
The university is among the lead sponsors of the documentary, which is being produced through a partnership with Syracuse’s NBC, CBS, and CW television affiliates (collectively known as CNY Central), and the PBS affiliate WCNY-TV/FM.
The film includes an interview with Fr. Dominic Monti, O.F.M., provincial vicar of Holy Name Province and former president of St. Bonaventure. The Franciscan historian was interviewed by James Aroune, vice president of broadcasting at WCNY, a 1987 alumnus of St. Bonaventure.
Leading up to the premiere, the stations are also airing several vignettes about St. Marianne. The vignettes can be viewed here.
St. Bonaventure University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., is thrilled that the university is part of this effort to tell the story of the first American Franciscan to be canonized.
“St. Marianne’s remarkable story is that of an American saint who accomplished extraordinary things through ordinary means. We are delighted to be a part of this first-class project,” she said.
Sr. Margaret is a member of St. Marianne’s religious community, the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Neumann Communities, in Syracuse.
While admission to the premiere at the Quick Center is free, the university strongly recommends reserving tickets in advance by calling 716-375-2494 or via e-mail at quick@sbu.edu. A question-and-answer session with the documentary’s hosts and producers will follow the screening.
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