‘Father Stu’: How a motorcycle accident turned this former boxer into a priest

nypost.com:

waters where many have claimed to be healed ever since the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared there in the 19th century. While he was not physically rehabilitated, he did emerge with an overwhelming sense of peace — and renewed conviction in his faith. “He wrote about it personally.

He said, ‘I know this disease is going to claim my life. And I also know it will be for God’s glory,’ ” said Tolleson.Long didn’t like to give up.

A former rough-and-tumble boxer and failed actor, his remarkable calling has echoes of a saint’s backstory. Now, his unlikely journey to the priesthood — in his youth, Long was known to curse and get into street fights — is the subject of the new Mark Wahlberg movie “Father Stu,” which premieres Wednesday in theaters.

As Long’s health deteriorated, his spirituality grew. On December 14, 2007, the Catholic convert was ordained and became a diocesan priest in his native Helena, Montana, where he inspired countless parishioners and fellow clergy as he continued to say mass while losing the use of his limbs.“Every time I went to his mass, I cried.