by Ariel Roberson, ShrevePossible
In the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana, a remarkable story unfolds — a tale of hardship and unwavering commitment. Shreveport’s Robinson Film Center will host a screening of this story – “The Five Priests” – at 6 p.m. Dec. 1.
Documentary filmmaker Chris Scott and Dr. Cheryl White of LSUS teamed up to tell this outstanding story – one that transcends religious boundaries and touches the hearts of people from all walks of life.
“The Five Priests” chronicles a group of dedicated individuals who left a lasting legacy in the face of the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. For many that remains a forgotten chapter in Shreveport history. Few know its devastation, or how it forever altered Shreveport’s trajectory. Moreover, the heroic tale of the five priests who willingly gave their lives to minister to the sick, regardless of faith or color, remains largely untold.
“‘The Five Priests’ documentary actually started in 2015,” said Chris Lyon, writer and producer.. “Chris Scott and I were working on a series called ‘The Shape of Shreveport,’ which was a series of short documentaries about the history of Shreveport, everything from the log jam and Captain Henry Miller Shreve, to the history of baseball in Shreveport. One of the topics was yellow fever and this really poignant tale of overcoming adversity and challenges.”
From left to right: Father Isidore A. Quémerais, Servant of God, Father François LeVézouët, Servant of God, Father Jean Pierre, Father Louis Gergaud, Servant of God, Father Jean-Marie Biler, Servant of God
The journey of the five saints
These five priests, originally from France, answered a call that promised little pay, scant recognition, immense hardship and an early grave. The youngest of all priests who died was 23. In the face of such adversity, they chose to serve in the newly established dioceses of Northwest Louisiana. By the time the yellow fever epidemic hit, they already were in Louisiana, prepared to face the horrors that awaited them.
The priests understood the dire situation they were entering. They knew they were risking their lives, but their unwavering dedication to the sick and suffering was unparalleled. In the midst of the pandemic’s peak, they formed a procession of selflessness, one priest following another into the face of death. Their actions demonstrated the surest path to heaven, which was to serve humanity in its darkest hour.
“The Five Priests” came to life thanks to Dr. Cheryl White at LSU Shreveport, who recognized the importance of preserving this remarkable story. Filmed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it offered a unique perspective on how Shreveport had endured challenges throughout its history.
“This is a unique story in the history of our city – how it is that five Roman Catholic priests willingly made a sacrifice of their own lives in the service of strangers during the 1873 Yellow Fever epidemic,” White said. “Their heroic decision has been part of the great historical narrative of Shreveport for 150 years, but now the attention of the world is on this story. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted unanimously in June to advance their cause for canonization with the Vatican. This is a first for the history of our region.”
Chris Scott, Dr. Cheryl White, Father Peter Mangum
Important story to tell
According to Chris Lyon, “At that time, Cheryl White, and some of her colleagues in the Catholic church had been working on a documentary documenting the history of these five Catholic priests who died during the yellow fever epidemic, and began what’s called a cause to get them to eventually become saints, which is an official title of the Catholic church. Part of that was years and years of research that Cheryl and her colleagues did. They wrote a book. And Chris Scott, having kind of known Cheryl, staying up to date with what they were doing, and knowing that this anniversary was coming up, they said, ‘Why don’t we turn the book into a documentary as well and be able to hit all different types of media?’”
The city’s past resilience, juxtaposed with the modern pandemic, allows viewers to appreciate the strength of the 1873 citizens and how we can exhibit those same attributes.
“I think it’s really important for Shreveport to advocate for itself on the global stage,” Lyon said. “And, again, even if you’re not somebody of faith, to be able to say that the Catholic church recognizes something that was done here is heroic and saintly is important. We need to take every opportunity that we can to celebrate the things that are good that have happened here. whether or not you’re a member of a community that is being celebrated at a given time. We should all be celebrating when good things happen and good things that have already happened or are being celebrated.”
“The Five Priests” has garnered recognition at numerous film festivals. The documentary’s success at secular film festivals underscores its universal appeal. It’s a story of love, charity, commitment, and dedication that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.
Father Peter Mangum, Dr. Cheryl White, Cardinal Christopher Pierre and Chris Scott
Universal appeal
“Five priests from Northwest Louisiana,” Scott said. “Five priests from Shreveport, Louisiana. I like to make the quip that when you hear ‘When the Saints Go Marching In,’ people associate that with New Orleans. But Shreveport, Louisiana, is literally the place where the saints went marching in. Five saints, one by one, marched into the city, gave their lives, and now the city and those priests are about to be globally recognized.”
After statewide screenings, the documentary will be donated to EWTN, the largest Catholic network, and Louisiana PBS, ensuring that it reaches a broad audience. The funds raised through the special screening at the Robinson Film Center will support a statewide tour, making the film accessible to all without charge.
While “The Five Priests” has a strong Catholic connection, its message transcends religious affiliations. It’s a universal story of humanity’s ability to overcome adversity, to find hope in the face of despair, and to persist in the darkest of times. The film reminds us all that, like Shreveport, we can endure and thrive, no matter the challenges that come our way.
Cardinal Christopher Pierre and Director Chris Scott
“When Dr. Cheryl White at LSU Shreveport approached me about documenting the story of the five priests and their involvement in the midst of the yellow fever, it was an instant, ‘Yes,’” Scott said. “Because I wanted to be involved in the telling of this story. I love Shreveport so much. And because I loved working with Dr. White in the past, and the story was so compelling, we felt like this was not just a regional story that people from Bossier and Caddo Parish would resonate with. We thought that this would be a story that could have a global interest and global inspiration.”
Behind the scenes with Father Peter Mangum and Director Chris Scott
Historic parallels
Scott said shooting the film during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique parallel to the story.
“We did not have vaccines,” he said. “We weren’t entirely sure where the disease was coming from or how it could be transmitted. Rumors and speculations, and this thing is going to kill all of us. It’s just peculiar and very interesting that we were shooting this movie about a pandemic, and in the midst of our own pandemic, so it gave a lot of context, just real world everyday context of what the city was going through.
“COVID was horrible, and especially in Louisiana, and especially in northwestern Louisiana. COVID was horrible. But could you imagine the pandemic was the yellow fever pandemic? It was even worse. So while we were all nervous and worried during COVID, with modern medicine, and modern information, and we were still nervous, imagine how crippling the anxiety was in truth for when the yellow fever was just rampant in the city, and yellow fever is no COVID.”
“It was horrible. It was a very painful way to die. So it just gave us a greater appreciation for what the citizens of Shreveport in 1873 were going through, what we’re capable of and how we can rally together. Both of these pandemics, but so this gave us a greater appreciation and greater context of what those citizens of 1873 were going through.”
“The Five Priests” reminds viewers of the human spirit’s resilience in the face of the most daunting challenges. It pays homage to a group of individuals whose selfless sacrifice left an indelible mark on Shreveport’s history. As the documentary makes its way to audiences far and wide, it carries a message of hope and inspiration for all. Everything is possible, even in the face of adversity.
For further reading, check out:
- “Shreveport Martyrs of 1873: The Surest Path to Heaven” (the History Press, 2021), authored by: Father Peter Mangum, W. Ryan Smith, and Dr. Cheryl White
- “Shreveport Martyr Father Louis Gergaud: In His Own Words” by Father Peter Mangum, W. Ryan Smith, and Dr. Cheryl White
Get your Five Priests Robinson Film Center Tickets Screening here:
http://robinsonfilmcenter.org/five-priests-cs/
