Preview released for Sister Thea Bowman documentary

By Joanna Puddister King
A trailer has been released by NewGroup Media and the Diocese of Jackson for the upcoming documentary on Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman.

The trailer has been making the rounds on social media and gives a glimpse into the life of the future Black Catholic saint. The documentary is entitled “Going Home Like a Shooting Star: Thea Bowman’s Journey to Sainthood” and it encompasses her life from her childhood in Canton, her rise to fame as a public speaker and evangelizer, to her death from cancer at age 52 in 1990.

The documentary features testimonies from Sister Thea’s friends, fellow sisters, former students, acquaintances and admirers. It also includes live-action reenactments from moments in her life. The reenactments were filmed in various locations around the country, including locally in Canton featuring local talent, with St. Joseph Catholic School student Madison Ware, as young Bertha Bowman.

Early reactions on social media platforms included:
“These 6 minutes make me wish I had known her so much earlier! Thank you!”
“She deserves this and so do the people!”
“Sister Thea will hopefully one day be the first saint from Mississippi.”

The trailer can be viewed on YouTube at https://bit.ly/SrTheaShootingStar. The film will be released this fall and is due to air on ABC.

Screengrab from the trailer of the upcoming documentary on Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman. The film is due to be released this fall, airing on ABC.