Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

A saint’s story. Ignatius Press is rolling out a major grassroots distribution campaign for RESTLESS HEART: The Confessions of Augustine. The English-language European production, which is based on St. Augustine’s autobiography The Confessions, will preview this Wednesday (Aug. 22) at the Lon Chaney Theater inside City Auditorium in downtown Colorado Springs in an event co-hosted by the Colorado Catholic Herald and the online faith-based retailer Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.  The event will benefit Catholic Charities of Central Colorado.

Also in Colorado, next Tuesday (Aug. 28) the Augustine Institute will also host a special screening of the film in Greenwood Village. The date also happens to be the Feast of St. Augustine.

The two previews come in advance of the movie’s official U.S. premiere during the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN) Trade Show at the Arlington Convention Center in Texas. Specifically, that event will be held on Wednesday, Aug.  29 at Champions Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel, which is adjacent and connected to the Convention Center.

In conjunction with the American release of the movie, Ignatius Press is also issuing a special edition of The Confessions as part of its Ignatius Critical Editions series. The book will include commentary, essays, and footnotes by experts on Augustine.

To continue the grassroots promotional push, Ignatius Press is in the process finalizing other hosted screenings in San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C.”

“We look forward to working with parishes, organizations and individuals across the country to bring St. Augustine’s life to as many people as possible,” says Ignatius Press Director of Marketing Anthony Ryan who is also hosting the CMN premiere event. The company is offering the opportunity to host screenings of the film through late November.

Set against the backdrop of the collapse of the Roman Empire (only a few generations after Jesus walked on Earth), the historical drama tells the dramatic story of Augustine of Hippo, chronicling his transformation from a self-centered pursuer of fame and fortune to one of the Church’s most beloved and well-known saints who laid the intellectual foundations of what became Europe.

Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley describes the film as “one of the most moving stories of conversion and reconciliation ever brought to the big screen,” adding “We are thrilled to offer this film to America.”

The movie is also notably endorsed by the Vatican.  After viewing the film Pope Benedict XVI said “We hope that many who watch this inspiring human drama will allow themselves to be found by the Truth and in return also find Love.”

For more info about the movie go to www.RestlessHeartFilm.com. To bring RESTLESS HEART to a theater in your area with a hosted screening, contact Victor Pap of The Maximus Group at 678-990-9032 or email VPap@MaximusMG.com.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11