Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story

Father Edward J. Flanagan is a familiar name to many Americans, often for the Oscar-winning 1938 film starring Spencer Tracy about Flanagan’s groundbreaking child welfare organization. But Father Flanagan’s story and legacy extend far beyond that. Flanagan gained influence and admiration over the course of his life from Presidents, CEOs, and celebrities, but none mattered more to him than that of the children. WWII was a sobering reminder of this as Flanagan saw droves of former Boys Town citizens go off to war, with so many of them naming Father Flanagan as their next of kin that he was named America’s No. 1 War Dad. Father Flanagan was a hero for his times, and for ours, too: his approach to child welfare remains a top influence in the field, and his frequent outspokenness against injustice showed he was always willing to tell the truth, regardless of risk. Filmed on location in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Japan and throughout the United States. Added value includes people of faith sharing their stories about Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus — seminarians, a school community encouraging students to emulate him, a man who recovered from COVID-19 after intercessory prayers, and a council when assisting a pregnancy resource center.