A new docudrama series from Martin Scorsese will debut this Sunday. Titled “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints,” it chronicles the lives of eight different saints – Maximilian Kolbe, Mary Magdalene and Francis of Assisi are among the saints who have an episode dedicated to them.

The docuseries will premiere on Fox Nation, with the first episode focusing on Joan of Arc, the patroness of soldiers. Scorsese, an Oscar-winning Catholic filmmaker, tells it. Matti Leshem is the creator of the series.

“I have lived with the stories of the saints for most of my life, thinking about their words and actions, imagining the worlds they inhabited, the choices they faced, the examples they set,” Scorsese said in a statement. “These are the stories of eight very different men and women, each of them living through very different periods of history and struggling to follow the path of love that was revealed to them and to us, by the words of Jesus in the gospels.”

Ahead of the premiere, the Deseret News asked series contributor Father James Martin a few questions about both what it means to collaborate with Scorsese and the relevance of the Saints today. He gave his answers by email.

Father Martin said the saints were chosen because they spoke to Scorsese and the saints were still relevant in our modern world. Calling Scorsese “one of the most intelligent, committed and passionate Catholics I know,” Father Martin said the stories of the saints are not just of interest to Scorsese: they are part of his faith. “And of course, he’s a great artist,” he added.

“As Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner said, the saints show us what it means to be Christian “in a special way.” And they show us that being holy means being who you are in the situation that God has placed you in,” Father Martin said.

One saint in the docuseries who resonated with Father Martin was Joan. He said he found it inspiring how she “stayed true to her calling,” even though those around her may have found it crazy.

Father Martin said he saw her leading the French army as “an act of liberation”.

“In Joan’s case, hearing voices and the desire to lead an army may seem more difficult to understand,” Father Martin said. “But I think we have to remember that at that time it was an act to deliver an oppressed people from the hands of the oppressors, in their eyes.”

Father Martin said Joan of Arc’s case might be more difficult to understand because other saints like Maximilian Kolbe give their lives for someone else – “the actions of most of them make us seem “reasonable” if you will.

Yet Father Martin says there are misconceptions around martyrdom. Namely that the martyr “wants death for its own sake”.

“But as we see in Kolbe’s life, it is usually the inevitable result of standing up for someone or taking the side of those who are poor, persecuted or struggling,” Father Martin said. “In Kolbe’s mind, God’s invitation was to say ‘yes’ to the invitation to offer one’s life. His action was about life, not death.

Father James Martin hopes the docuseries reintroduces Catholics to the people who pray for us and set an example for us. He hopes it will remind believers that faith is worth it, even if it’s not always easy.

“And to those who don’t believe, I always say, “Look at their stories.” Let them inspire you. And then ask yourself if any of this makes sense without God.’

“Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” airs Sunday on Fox Nation.