“The Spirit Continues” is a one-hour documentary tracing the history of our country and the development of the Catholic Church through the lens of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, now celebrating its 200th anniversary. Archival materials from the University, the United States Library of Congress, and local historical societies provide a visual narrative of the history of the University and the region. Special attention is paid to the Mount’s role in 19th century America, the development of the Catholic Church in that period, and the centrality of northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania to the history of the Civil War. The documentary provides rare letters, photos, and film clips which complement the narration and interviews of Mount St. Mary’s faculty and administrators. Together, they bring to light the extraordinary efforts of a French émigré priest, Fr. John DuBois, who boldly planted a cross in 1808 marking the site he envisioned for a future university. Today, two hundred years later, Mount St. Mary’s is thriving and includes Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes. “The Spirit Continues” is a co-production of Virginia Wolf Productions and MVI Post. Two years in the making, it was a collaborative effort with the entire Mount St. Mary’s community. Mount St. Mary’s college students, seminarians, and staff re-enacted many of the lead roles in the documentary, bringing to life the early years of the founding of their school, Mount St. Mary’s University. |
