Saint Etheldreda: Abbess of Ely New Film Release

From Mary's Dowry Productions, Catholic film production company, comes a new film on the life of Saint Etheldreda: Abbess of Ely. Experience an encounter with this inspiring Saxon Saint who lived a radical life that will touch and encourage Catholics of today.

A Saxon princess who fell deeply in love with Our Lord, Saint Etheldreda made a vow of virginity and purity, hoping to dedicate her life to Jesus as a nun. But her father King Anna arranged for her to marry a prince. The prince respected her vow and when he died Etheldreda hoped to be able to enter religious life. Her father however, yet again arranged a marriage for her to prince Ecgfrith.

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At first Prince Ecgfrith consented to live in celibacy with his wife, but when he was made king he revoked his decision. Amidst miracles and Divine Intervention, Etheldreda escaped from her husband, their marriage was annulled, and she was eventually to become the renowned Abbess of Ely.

This film of Saint Etheldreda's life and death includes dramatic visuals, re-enactment, historical imagery and narration, filmed on locations in England.


Saint Etheldreda: Abbess of Ely
Heroic Saxon Queen, Abbess and Saint of Ely.

The DVD is priced at £9.99 with a runtime of 45 minutes and is available worldwide from Mary's Dowry Productions website at http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Saint Etheldreda Film plus other News

The DVD is 45 minutes long and is now in the process of being musically scored. Grateful thanks to all who have helped, especially St. Etheldreda's Church, Ely Place London. This is a very reflective encounter with an interesting Saxon Saint who was Queen and Abbess. With visuals and historical imagery, the DVD will be available within the next few weeks.

Narration for Saint Margaret Clitherow is now complete with beautiful narration from our friend Kate Goddard, daughter of Father David Goddard and sister of Fr. Matthew Goddard. She braved the inclement weather and gave us a beautiful poignant narrative that will work beautifully with the visuals. This will be an important and powerful film.

We are off to the Weald and Downland Museum after arrangement to film in the houses and on the site one day this week, so are sending up prayers for clement weather, at least for the few hours needed until we have the external visuals to complete the film. We will have everything we need and will start the long process of editing as this is a feature 'epic' like our Saint Edmund Campion, about one hour long with one hundred percent original visuals.

Keep an eye out for the new 'The Priesthood: Alter Christus' DVD collaboration we have been privilaged to work on with the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton - fantastic interviews with intelligent devout young Catholics, centered on the Eucharist, this is a powerful programme especially produced in the Year of the Priest and will be launched in January 2010.

Further films currently being planned and scripted are Saint Nicholas Owen, Saint Anne Line, Saint Alban, Saint Cuthbert Mayne and our shorter Saints and Catachetical series. These will be made and released throughout 2010 with other projects no doubt.

Our films are available online or stocked in St. Paul's at Westminster and in good Catholic repositories. We are so grateful for any exposure we get so that more people can have an encounter with the Saints and Martyr's we present in our productions, whose witness for the Catholic faith in England is powerful, challenging and relevant for today.

Website Update

Our affiliate website MEDIA EVANGELIZATION MUSIC has been updated. A good site to browse through for further details regarding the musical side of MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS, with samples and details of albums for sale and additional trailers. Also information about collaboration work such as the latest DVD from the FAITH MOVEMENT, the upcoming PRIESTHOOD DVD with Arundel and Brighton Diocese (definately worth checking out! - DUE OUT SOON) and SAINT GABRIEL'S COMMUNICATIONS headed by International apologist Raymond de Souza. You can visit the website here:

Media Evangelization Music.

Saints of England DVD Series

This is a Trailer for new Catholic DVD "Saints of England: Volume One" bringing the lives of Saints of England to life through music, picture, video, narration and prayer. Available to buy now at www.marysdowryproductions.org

Saint Hugh of Lincoln...

...is just one of the Saints featured in this NEW and latest DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions. As part of our Well Known Saints DVD series we thought we would focus in on English saints and Martyrs and released "Saints of England: Volume One" onto DVD in October 2009.


The DVD contains seven mini movies on Saints of England. Their stories are told and brought to life through original uplifting music, narration, pictures, video and prayers. Learn about the lives of:

Saint Hugh of Lincoln
Saint Hilda
Saint Simon Stock
Saint Stephen Harding
Saint Ambrose Barlow
Saint Anne Line
and Saint Elphege


These films are great for all ages and particularly for use in family, parishes and youth groups, especially confirmation classes. A real encounter with the individual saints is guaranteed and each story is varied, from medieval times of persecution and martyrdom in the lives of Saint Anne Line and Saint Ambrose Barlow to Viking invaders in the life of St. Elphege all the way to the pleasant and joyful tale of Saint Simon Stock establishing the brown scapular devotion in England in the 1200s.


Great as a new and unique Christmas gift idea this year to bring the lives of Saints of England to your family or friends this DVD is great value for money at just £9.99. It is available worldwide through Mary's Dowry Productions online shop at http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/.

For more information on this DVD and our whole range of DVD saints series visit this link:

Screenshots from St. Margaret Clitherow Film - the Trial

The Scribe taking note's during the Trial of St. Margaret Clitherow.

Some Screenshots from upcoming film on the life of Saint Margaret Clitherow. In the action at the Trial of St. Margaret Clitherow.

Saint Margaret Clitherow Film - The Town Hall Set

Saturday 7th November saw the Mary's Dowry Productions Team in the studios for the final day of interior shooting for upcoming film production "Saint Margaret Clitherow". The set was the Town Hall wherein took place Margaret's trial and execution as well as various fine paying that occurs regularly throughout the film.

Lord Huntington made a strong appearance. In the film Lord Huntington goes to York and asks the townsfolk to spy on recusant Catholics and report back to him any suspicious activity. This was worrying for John Clitherow as his wife was a recusant Catholic and he was literally being asked to spy on her.

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The trial of Margaret Clitherow was one of the largest scenes in the film with several judges questioning Margaret about her activities hiding priests.

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The film set was completely different to the previous Butchers Shop and Prison Cells for this film and should provide the perfect contrast throughout the entire film. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I was painted for the set.

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and had pride of place above the Medieval Fireplace on set.

The scene of St. Margaret Clitherow's condemnation and death was extremely poignant and moving. Arms outstretched, ready.

The film is due for release early 2010. For more information visit www.marysdowryproductions.org and click on 'Margaret Clitherow'.

Saint Cuthman of Steyning Original Film on DVD Trailer

Original Catholic Films on DVD for Christmas

The tale of a simple Sussex saint who lived around the year 700AD in Saxon England is a highly uplifting and joyful story.

This short film from Mary's Dowry Productions uses original re-enactment upon the Sussex downs to portray the famous event of Saint Cuthman of Steyning pushing his mother in a wooden wheelbarrow to their new home in Steyning.

The wooden cart was constructed exclusively for the film and is greatly effective in bringing this episode in the saints' life to reality on screen.

Although not well known in some cases you will find great statues and images of Saint Cuthman, with his wooden cart in tow, on roadsides in the little Sussex town of Steyning where the church that Saint Cuthman built when he arrived in Steyning so many years ago can still be visited. Why not surprise someone this year by giving them an encounter with a simple Sussex shepherd whose tale is one of trust, simplicity and encounter with Jesus Christ. Highly recommended. Now in Widescreen High Definition this great addition to Mary's Dowry Productions catalogue ranks as a favourite.

The film is just £9.99 available worldwide on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions website and online shop or by writing to us at:

Mary's Dowry Productions

P.O. Box 4513

Worthing

West Sussex

BN13 3WT

United Kingdom.

Saint Philip Howard Catholic Film DVD Trailer

Trailer for Catholic film "Philip of Arundel" a DVD short film telling the life of Saint Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel and English Martyr. This DVD is part of a range of original Catholic productions available to buy worldwide from www.marysdowryproductions.org. These DVDs are priced at £9.99 and would make excellent Christmas gift ideas.

The Martyrs Walk Catholic DVD Film Trailer

Teaser Trailer for "The Martyrs Walk" DVD

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Catholics - Catholic Films on DVD

Original DVD production "The Martyrs Walk". An exciting original documentary filmed on location in London from Tower Hill, the place of execution of Saint Thomas More and St. John Fisher, to Tyburn convent, the site of the infamous Tyburn Gallows where saints such as Edmund Campion, Anne Line and so many more shed their blood for the Catholic faith. Follow the pilgrims of the Martyrs Walk with Miles Jesu and Joanna Bogle as they tread the footsteps that these martyrs would have taken on their journey to martyrdom.

See the sites of secret and forgotten places in the back streets of London where monasteries once stood and walk the path of the martyrs praying with them and interceding for England as the documentary flashes back in time regularly meeting saints such as Thomas Garnet and Henry Morse who tell the stories of their final hours in London before their deaths. Learn about the martyrs, the history of the Tyburn gallows and England during the Reformation and see London as it is today as you hear about the history of the places along the Tyburn route.

Filmed on location in London, England this original DVD documentary is a fascinating look at England's Catholic past and a moving encounter with some of the great English Martyrs. The Martyrs Walk is available to buy at http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/ and is priced at £9.99. Available worldwide.

Catholic Christmas Gift Ideas - Catholic DVDs

A whole range of original Catholic DVD films, programs and series are available and would make excellent new ideas for Christmas gifts this year. The DVDs are priced at the very reasonable sum of £9.99 and the range of films released so far is very varied. Share the life of some of our great English Saints and Martyrs this year with family and friends.

Saint Philip Howard - Earl of Arundel and English Martyr, imprisoned under Queen Elizabeth I for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith. This DVD tells the exciting story of his life, from his early years, his time at Cambridge to his conversion to the Catholic faith, imprisonment in the Tower of London for 11 years and eventual death.

With original footage of Arundel Castle, Cathedral and St. Philip Howard's Shrine this DVD film is available to buy from http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Nativity Exhibition

Nativity exhibits will be on display depicting traditional scenes using a variety of materials and interpretations. Organised by the Secular Franciscan Order.

The event will take place at St. Joseph's Convent Chapel, East Street, Littlehampton

from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Admission Free.

St. Teresa of Avila Series

A great recommendation for anybody wishing to find out more about Saint Teresa of Avila's life and example, or those already acquainted with the saint "Teresa de Jesus" was broadcast on EWTN leading up to her feast day on 15th August. Each episode is 1 hour in length, Spanish with subtitles and there are 8 episodes in all. Beginning right back when Teresa of Avila was in her illness, travelling and staying with her sister, the film follows her life in depth and really portrays amazingly her struggles, trials and spiritual growth. It's brilliant to see the laxity in the convent and how Teresa wishes to advance spiritually but is immersed in distractions and does not make the effort to avoid bad company. The film really captures her reading and growth in prayer and her exhausting efforts to reform the Carmelite Order. I personally have found a great new inspiration and example in this saint after watching this series. It inspires one to pray more, grow more and give more. She is also a great saint to relate to in the sense that she was distracted for a long time but God was so patient with her. She is always aware of her past but despite that she continues to grow all the way to Union with God. The film was made in 1983 and is an absolute inspiration, very highly recommended. Available from Amazon or if you have an ebay account straight from Spain a great seller there was very reliable and fast.

Please note: This is not a Mary's Dowry Production!

Final Filming Days for Saint Etheldreda Catholic Film DVD

Mary's Dowry Productions is now editing a new Catholic film on the life of Saxon Saint Etheldreda. The weekend of 17th October saw the team on various locations acquiring the final footage for this upcoming film release.

From beautiful woodland walks to violent stormy seas the team follows the whole story of this powerful saint for our times bringing the events of her life to screen with powerful visuals.

The weather was perfect and the sea rough as Etheldreda takes refuge along the large rocks and the sea surrounds her as she is pursued by her husband King Ecgfrith.

This film is due for release before the end of 2009 and will be an exciting addition to the Mary's Dowry Productions catalogue. For more information on our full range of original Catholic films and documentaries visit our website at www.marysdowryproductions.org

Poor Clare Colettine Community Video

The Poor Clare Colettine Community of the Monastery of Ty Mam Duw in Hawarden, North Wales have a new YouTube Channel and have worked with Mary's Dowry Productions on producing their first video. It's well worth watching!

The video can be found at this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/yourlittlesisters

"We adore God and live, love and intercede for the Church and the world as a family of enclosed Franciscan women, following the way of St Clare and the inspiration of St Colette in the joy of the Holy Spirit!"

Saints of England New Catholic DVD Release

New DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions "Saints of England: Volume One". This DVD focuses on the lives of Seven Saints of England. Volume One tells the stories of:

Saint Hugh of Lincoln
Saint Ambrose Barlow
Saint Simon Stock
Saint Hilda
Saint Stephen Harding
Saint Elphege
and Saint Anne Line


An exciting and inspirational approach, each DVD contains seven movies of 5 minutes, portraying the stories of each of the saints using original music, picture, video and narration. Great for learning about the lives of the saints, choosing a patron, devotional, or simply to enjoy. Excellent as a resource for Catechesis and Confirmation. For more information visit http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/Saints_of_England.html.

Arundel Cathedral for Vocations

Mary's Dowry Productions was in Arundel Cathedral working with the Arundel and Brighton Vocations team a few weeks ago. Here we filmed Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction and then interviewed a group of several young Catholics who showed profound zeal and understanding of their faith, love of the Church and their perception of the Priesthood and the importance of the Sacraments and the Eucharist in their lives. We also interviewed a young seminarian from St. John's Seminary. This DVD will be an excellent resource for vocations and is being produced for the Year of the Priest.

A film launch and special Mass is being planned for this exciting and important Vocations DVD resource.

Brighton Beach for Vocations

Mary's Dowry Productions is currently working with the Arundel and Brighton Vocations team to produce a DVD on Vocations for The Year of the Priest. After already spending one day filming at St. Pancras in Lewes last month and a day at Arundel Cathedral with the first group of young Catholics, we were on Brighton Beach (on the day of the Labour Party Conference!) where we interviewed some more fantastic young people who are in love with the Catholic Church and their faith and eagerly share their understanding and profound insights into their perception of priests, what makes a good priest, the Eucharist, Mass and other powerful testomonies. We also interviewed another Seminarian from St. John's Seminary. The DVD looks set to be an excellent resource for young people and anyone interested in vocations.

The set of St. Margaret Clitherow's Butcher's Shop

Saturday 3rd October saw Mary's Dowry Productions filming all day for our upcoming film on Saint Margaret Clitherow. The set was the Butcher's Shop which was constructed.


There was a side alley

...and plenty of props

Many friends and parishoners and family came to take roles and lots of footage was captured. It takes us halfway through the production with two more filming days planned soon.

Customers at St. Margaret Clitherow's butcher shop

Various customers, recusant Catholics and Henry May (Margaret's step-father) are shown arriving at the Clitherow Butcher's Shop in The Shambles.

The Sheriff and a soldier arrive at The Shambles

Saint Margaret Clitherow's arrest

Inside the Clitherow Butcher's Shop in the Shambles, York, Saint Margaret is shown with her children and the young flemish boy who was to show the police where the Mass vestments and articles were hidden.

Behind the Scenes of The Shambles

After a long day of filming.....

St. Etheldreda Filming Day in Petworth

Last week saw the Mary's Dowry Productions team filming on location at Petworth Park for new film "Saint Etheldreda".

St. Etheldreda, a saxon saint is shown with the beautiful deer:

The day was sunny and a nice summer haze was over the entire Petworth Park. The deer were tame enough to remain in the shots we needed and Etheldreda was able to be portrayed with nice visuals up close to the animals. All in all some very lovely footage adding much to this exciting upcoming production. For more details visit 'Saxon Saints' at http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

St. Charles de Foucauld

I'd heard the name of this saint a few times and seen pictures of him but knew nothing about him. I saw a CTS book of his life in the cathedral and picked it up months ago. The other week I decided to read it and read it in one day.

This saint was nothing what I expected him to be! His story took me completely by surprise. He was renowned for his huge greedy appetite, yet the photos of him are so serene and skinny. In his early life he adopted all the bad philosophers and decided to incorporate their atheistic philosophies and lead a bad life. He even had a mistress. When he had his conversion he was so enthusiastic he had huge wild ideas like 'I will purchase Mount Tabor' and borrowed the money to do so, and things like that whilst he was in Israel. He lived such rigorous penances he had one young person who tried to live his life too but was fainting and unable to cope where it was too much. Those are just some of the points that struck me from his absolutely fascinating life story and the CTS book is well worth a read. The thing that left me was his recommendation to read the Bible always, so I've been reading the Gospels each day, and when I reach the end I start over and read them all again so that I am now continuously reading them - it's really made a difference.



The book is available here

Fr. Faber - The Precious Blood - Book Recommendation

I have been steadily reading "The Precious Blood" by Fr. Faber. I first read 'Growth in Holiness' by the same author and found it so brilliant I began reading this simply because it was by him. This book is amazing, I love Rosary meditations and I find this so full of imagery and ideas as well as fascinating insights that my thoughts are filled with so many things when I come to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries.

Fr. Faber has a unique way of writing, I wondered what this thick book would cover on this topic and it just gets better and better. The second to last chapter I just completed was all about 'The Seven Bloodlettings' taking you through in depth the prodigality of the precious blood and how Jesus could have redeemed us in any manner, but chose to pour out every last drop of His Blood to show us just how much he wanted to incredibly spend Himself for us. What I found most shocking was Fr. Faber's writing on how when Jesus died on the Cross, there all over the streets of Jerusalem, upon torture instruments, people's clothes, shoes, all over the place, there were spots of the precious Blood being adored by angels. I related this to every particle of the consecrated Hosts imagining all the countless angels adoring each fragment.

Alongside this book I have been reading St. Gertrude the Great and a small pamphlet on Saint Michael the Archangel. It's funny how everything ties in, I read how St. Michael adores and protects the Eucharist, and St. Gertrude has really made me get more serious about my faith over the past few months as I have read about the saintly nuns in her convent being purified from the slightest faults.

For example one particular lady died who had lived a blameless life. Gertrude saw her as if her clothes had been nailed to the floor and this was preventing her from ascending to go to Jesus. This suffering and pain was to purify her. When St. Gertrude asked why she needed to be thus purified, Jesus explained that it was because she had been too much attached on this earth and taken too much pleasure out of a small gold embroidered coverlet spread on her bed!

I was so shocked at the realisation that yes we can grow in holiness and progress in the spiritual life but we are also presented with the choice of just how far we wish to go. Jesus sends us trials and sufferings and also encourages us to become more detached from things so that we can grow and obtain greater merit. St. Gertrude is quite heavy going but if you take it on board and make those tough decisions it's really worth it!

I've been going through my things and getting rid of unnecessary items and really trying to live more simply. Afterall, we are all just passing through and should keep our eyes fixed on Heaven. Detachment is I find one of the most difficult things to achieve but it is possible to do it slowly. Since giving up all television and films we as a family have come to realise this was the greatest step of detachment for us and each step along the way leaves us freer in mind to absorb things we read from books such as those by Fr. Faber and to try and be more recollected.

Finally, I have tried over the years to be more recollected but have failed. Recently I have taken each day a small prayer such as 'Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my Trust in Thee" and each time I find myself distracted I say this prayer and it pulls me back. I choose a different one each day and it really helps.

St. Cuthman of Steyning Film Showing

Tonight Mary's Dowry Productions had a film showing of Saint Cuthman of Steyning - the uplifting and cheerful story of a local Saxon Saint. There were teas and coffees and items for sale and a nice crowd came along to enjoy the film.

Saint Cuthman of Steyning film was shot in Widescreen HD and it was good to see the new high quality visuals on the large screen.

Mary's Dowry Productions catalogue is growing steadily with films on Saint Philip Howard, Saint Edmund Campion, Blessed Margaret Pole, Saint Cuthman, The Martyrs Walk, Well Known Saints Series Volume One and Two and more!

Many of the parishioners were excited with the new release and revealed that their collections of Mary's Dowry Productions films are watched on a regular basis at home.

I have to confess that, since not watching television and secular films at all we as a family enjoy Mary's Dowry Productions films regularly too and are always left feeling positive and keen to start the next project. Filming is complete for St. Wilfrid who is now at the editing stage. Alongside the film on St. Wilfrid which I have to confess I am sure will be my favourite because of the visuals involved, Saint Etheldreda has been scripted and the first day of filming undertaken. Yesterday saw the sudden inspiration and full scripting of Saint Alban the protomartyr of England so Mary's Dowry Productions will be travelling back to the 200's AD and constructing full Roman sets in the near future.

For a full listing of all our films, CDs and books available please visit www.marysdowryproductions.org

Filming at Fulking

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS hiked up onto the South Downs yesterday to get some final shots for our film on 'Saint Wilfrid' and beginning shots for our film on 'Saint Etheldreda'. Both have fascinating Saxon Catholic lives and will be presented in half hour films.

Past the Shepherd and Dog pub and up through some woodlands, we already needed a break after clambering over a stile and climbing up the first hill as we had rucksacks full of eating and drinking supplies and a suitcase on wheels full of costumes.

The views from the top were really spectacular. To the right you can see Devil's Dyke where the paragliders fly about (avoiding our shots thankfully) and before us the North Downs could be seen right in the distance. We filmed for about 45 minutes on the first hill which had some excellent angles and views. Saint Wilfrid travels down from Northumbria after being exiled and comes to Sussex for 6 years to bring the Gospel, the Sacraments and converted many pagans.

We shot from various angles on different summits. The wind was quite gusty but the sun came out for some lovely shots and the wind gradually dropped.





For our production on Saint Etheldreda we shot some scenes with Saint Wilfrid who was her friend when she was in the court of King Ecgfrith. Saint Etheldreda had taken a vow of virginity which her young husband respected (at first) and she was able to live in her Aunt Saint Ebba's convent for some years as a nun.
We show these two Saxon Catholic Saints together as they had many conversations, especially when King Ecgfrith decided that he wanted his wife back by his side. The King advised the Bishop to tell Saint Etheldreda that her duty to God was her duty to her husband. Saint Wilfrid however saw Saint Etheldreda's purity and holiness blessed by Our Lord and was inspired to advise her to leave the abbey.

Of course, Saint Etheldreda didn't have a useful suitcase on wheels but this shot was quite amusing as we moved further along a valley for different scenery location shots.....

Saint Etheldreda travelled down to Ely which had been given to her as a gift by Prince Tonbert whom she had wed (and the marriage was never consumated) in obedience to her father King Anna when she was young. This young Prince had died a few years later and Saint Etheldreda had hoped she could enter a convent then but she was married to King Ecgfrith shortly after. Saint Etheldreda's journey down to Ely had many miraculous events.

We also filmed a few more travelling shots of Bishop Wilfrid.

The other scenes we shot were of Saint Etheldreda as a Saxon Princess telling Prince Tonbert of her vow to Our Lord. He is in the beginning of the film and he consented to respect her vow. We have yet to film Saint Etheldreda with King Ecgfrith. She is shown below with Prince Tonbert.

Saint Etheldreda was a woman of deep prayer and during her marriage to Prince Tonbert she often retired to Ely where she absorbed herself in meditation and contemplation.

There were many South Downs walkers towards the top and someone asked if the team was filming Rapunzel! We thought Saint Etheldreda would have a really lovely look with really long blond hair and it looks beautiful on film.

Saint Wilfrid will be put together over the next few weeks and we will be acquiring further footage for Saint Etheldreda and Saint Margaret Clitherow over the next few months.

These films seek to enkindle devotion to these great Catholic Saints and Martyrs whose stories and examples are very inspiring and offer such guidance and wisdom for us today.