A NJ pastor's coming-of-age tale about young priests makes its big-screen debut Thursday

More than 20 years ago, the Rev. Stephen Fichter dreamed up the notion of a movie that would offer a realistic portrayal of the Catholic priesthood to a general audience.

"People see priests in town or visiting someone in the hospital but they are generally not very well known as individuals," said Fichter, the pastor at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff since 2017.

This week, the Bergen native's vision will finally hit the silver screen. "Trinity's Triumph," the film he co-wrote, portrays the journey of three young men who seek to join the priesthood. It was scheduled to premiere Thursday night before a sold-out crowd at Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Theater in Ridgewood as part of the borough's annual film festival.

Fichter had some notable help along the way: The late New Jersey mystery novelist Mary Higgins Clark had a hand in the project, as did legendary Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli. The film stars Joe Morton (Scandal, Brother from Another Planet).

Fichter, 55, grew up in Tenafly and attended Bergen Catholic High School. He has been a priest for 23 years and was appointed last year as vicar of education for the Archdiocese of Newark. He said he's thrilled with his final product, which he describes as a "part-drama, part-coming-of-age film."

Here's his take on the movie, which was filmed at various locations in New Jersey and New York.

What's 'Trinity's Triumph' about?

"It's a modern, behind-the-scenes look at life in the priesthood. Often people only interact with a priest at a baptism, wedding or funeral and don't get to know priests as individuals. Priests have their struggles just like everyone else. 'Trinity's Triumph' welcomes the viewer into the real world of priests with all the ups and downs that are part of every life. It's a story ultimately about the endurance of friendship and of being true to one's calling in life. It helps us to take priests off the pedestal of perfectionism while appreciating their commitment."

How the film got made

"There were three phases of the writing process over the last 25 years. Franco Zeffirelli, who is a famous Italian filmmaker, had a long discussion with me one afternoon at his home on the outskirts of Rome in 1998 and encouraged me to expand on my original script to make it more interesting. It was incredible advice, which I am happy I followed.

"Then I met my longtime collaborator, Kathe Carson, in the early 2000s. Over 15 years, we had many conversations always beginning with one of us saying, 'What if . . . ?' We would talk it all out and then Kathe would go away and write. We had an epic number of revisions during that time, but Kathe and I finally hit upon the story that we wanted to tell. Mary Higgins Clark, the author, is a good friend and helped us work through some of the more challenging scenes. Finally, when our director, Michael Wickham, came on board, he added to the energy and dramatic effect in several scenes."

More: NJ father and son, ordained two weeks apart, make history at Catholic Mass

Israel at 75: Ex-soldier, Muslim leader and other locals reflect on Jewish state's legacy

The most interesting part of making a movie

"I was intrigued with the art and science of making a movie. It was fascinating to watch the setting up for each camera angle, the lenses, the lighting, hair, make-up, wardrobe, and continuity from scene to scene. There is also the art element when the director is working with the actors so that the right line reading will convey what the writers had in mind. I loved it all!"

Where to watch 'Trinity's Triumph'

The 8 p.m. screening in Ridgewood Thursday is sold out. But Fichter said the film will drop on a number of streaming platforms most likely late in August or in early September.

"It was a 25-year labor of love and very worth the wait," he said.

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: yellin@northjersey.com

Twitter: @deenayellin

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Trinity's Triumph movie by NJ priest Stephen Fichter: how to watch it