Martin Scorsese says his new FOX Nation series 'The Saints' was a story he always wanted to tell

FOX Nation presented an exclusive screening of Martin Scorsese's new series, "The Saints," on Thursday night in New York City. 

The exclusive docudrama explores the remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody faith. Attendees including FOX News Media executives, some of Fox News Channel's biggest stars, people who helped create the series, religious leaders, friends of Scorsese and others got a sneak peek of gripping episodes about Joan of Arc and Maximilian Kolbe. 

The 81-year-old Scorsese said this project has been on his mind for decades and has been trying to find time since he made "Raging Bull" in 1980. 

"I grew up practically living in the St. Patrick's Old Cathedral downtown, contemplating, meditating those statues of the saints, different saints, and wondering about their stories," Scorsese said. 

"What is a saint? Is it something superhuman? Can they achieve something easier than we can because we're human beings? I realized, 'No,'" Scorsese continued. "The point is they're human."

Scorsese said that full-length films about saints were prominent when he was growing up, but such stories have not been told in recent years. 

"Maybe the fact that there are saints, were saints and still are saints is something that's lost on our newest generation. Because we don't live with them. So, we thought this was a good attempt to try and understand what that is and what faith is, really," the filmmaker said. 

"I've always wanted to do it," he added, joking "I was busy."

During the panel discussion with consultant Mary Karr, Father James Martin, author Paul Elie, and Father Edward Beck, Scorsese asked the experts on stage how they would define the word "saint." 

Scorsese explained that many believe there are "saints you don't see," such as modern doctors and other selfless people. 

Throughout the week, FOX Nation fans have been able to stop by a marketing activation pop-up outside the Fox Corporation headquarters in New York to receive custom photos of themselves as saints.

Scorsese is an Academy Award-winning director and one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. His 2006 film, "The Departed," won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture.  

Scorsese has also explored the topic of faith with such works as "Silence" and "The Last Temptation of Christ."

The docuseries is written by Kent Jones, who frequently collaborates with Scorsese, and directed by Elizabeth Chomko. Additional executive producers alongside Scorsese and Leshem include Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn, Christopher Donnelly, Yoshi Stone and Craig Piligian.