Father Stuart Long’s life journey was nothing short of extraordinary marked by transformation, spiritual resilience, and deep personal struggle. Before becoming a Catholic priest, Father Stu lived a vastly different life as an amateur boxer and actor. However, it was not his athletic or artistic pursuits that defined him in the end. Instead, his legacy is anchored in faith, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to his calling, even while facing a rare and debilitating illness. The story of how Father Stu died is not just a medical account but a testament to his character and faith in the face of suffering.
Early Life and Career Before Priesthood
Stuart Long was born in 1963 in Helena, Montana. As a young man, he was full of ambition and vigor, dedicating himself to boxing, where he earned regional acclaim. Following his boxing career, he pursued acting and moved to Los Angeles in hopes of achieving stardom. Although he never reached fame in Hollywood, his time there became a pivotal chapter in his life’s spiritual transformation.
It was during this period that a near-fatal motorcycle accident became a turning point. After his recovery, he began exploring deeper questions about life and purpose. Eventually, his spiritual curiosity led him to the Catholic Church, where he converted and later felt a calling to the priesthood.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
While preparing for ordination, Stuart Long began experiencing unusual physical symptoms. His movements became clumsy, and he suffered from fatigue and muscle stiffness. Initially thought to be polymyositis, an inflammatory muscle disease, his condition progressively worsened. After extensive testing, he was eventually diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare and incurable inflammatory disease that causes progressive weakness in the muscles.
What Is Inclusion Body Myositis?
Inclusion body myositis is a degenerative muscular disorder that typically affects individuals over 50. However, in Father Stu’s case, the condition appeared much earlier. IBM slowly attacks the muscles, making it difficult for the patient to walk, move, swallow, and eventually breathe. Unlike other forms of myositis, IBM does not respond well to steroids or immunosuppressive therapies.
Some key features of IBM include:
- Progressive muscle weakening, especially in the arms and legs
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Loss of mobility and increased dependence on assistive devices
- Unrelenting progression over time without effective treatment options
Choosing to Serve Despite the Disease
Despite his diagnosis, Father Stu continued to pursue ordination. Many doubted whether someone with a degenerative illness could serve in such a demanding role. But Father Stu was determined. He believed his suffering could be united with Christ’s own pain and that his condition gave him a deeper ability to relate to others who were suffering, broken, or feeling hopeless.
He was ordained in 2007, already using a cane to support himself. As his illness progressed, he transitioned to a walker, then a wheelchair. Still, he served the Church for years, offering confessions, celebrating Mass, and providing spiritual guidance to countless individuals. His humility and strength left an enduring impact on all who knew him.
Final Years and Passing
As the inclusion body myositis advanced, Father Stu’s physical condition continued to deteriorate. He was eventually moved into the Big Sky Care Center in Helena, where he spent his final years. Despite his physical limitations, his mind remained sharp, and his sense of humor intact. He continued his priestly duties as much as possible from his care facility, becoming a beacon of hope for fellow residents and visitors.
Father Stu died on June 9, 2014, at the age of 50. His death was caused by complications of inclusion body myositis. Though the disease robbed him of his mobility and physical strength, it could not diminish his spirit or his commitment to his vocation. His life came full circle from athlete to actor to priest marked by grace in the face of adversity.
His Death and Legacy
Father Stu’s death did not mark the end of his influence. In fact, it brought greater attention to his story, which had already inspired many. His legacy lives on through the people he touched during his ministry and the continued retelling of his life’s journey. His story was further immortalized in the 2022 biographical filmFather Stu, starring Mark Wahlberg, which brought widespread attention to his incredible transformation and unwavering faith.
The film, while dramatized for a broader audience, helped highlight the core of Father Stu’s message: faith can grow stronger in the face of adversity, and pain can become a vehicle for compassion and purpose.
What We Learn From Father Stu’s Death
How Father Stu died is not just a tragic footnote; it is a lesson in strength, surrender, and service. His illness became an opportunity to minister with even more empathy and humanity. In a culture that often glorifies physical strength and external success, his story reminds us of the inner power of faith and the strength that comes from serving others, even when one is broken physically.
From his bed in a care home, he taught people what it meant to live fully. His ability to endure suffering with grace inspired not only his parishioners but also countless others who later learned about his life. Through his trials, he lived the message of redemptive suffering and found meaning even in his weakest moments.
A Role Model for Perseverance
For those living with chronic illness or disability, Father Stu remains a symbol of perseverance and hope. He showed that a person’s worth is not defined by what they can physically do, but by who they are and how they choose to live. His ministry extended beyond the pulpit, beyond the sacraments it was a lived testimony to the power of faith, love, and sacrifice.
Father Stuart Long died from complications of inclusion body myositis, a disease that stripped him of his physical abilities but strengthened his spiritual resolve. His story is one of remarkable transformation from a fighter in the ring to a fighter in faith. He lived and died as a witness to resilience, proving that even when the body fails, the soul can shine even brighter. His legacy continues to inspire people of all walks of life to embrace their own journey with courage and faith, no matter how difficult it may become.
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