| A COUNTRY GENTLEMAN Saint Swithun Wells - layman (1)  |
| Saint Swithun Wells and his wife Alice © 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Swithun Wells' DVD |
His father was renowned in Hampshire as a confessor for the faith; Swithun himself was kindly, courteous, generous, brave, a country gentleman fond of country diversions. Much of his diversions he gave up, however to train youths in the faith and learning - that is, he kept a school - in Wiltshire. Afterwards he went to London, and was there condemned for having had Mass said in his house; he was led out to die with his wife, sentenced for the same offence. She was reprieved, and after ten years in Newgate died, still in prison, in 1602.
 |
| Saint Swithun and Alice are separated © 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Swithun Wells' DVD |
On Swithun's way to the scaffold, set up opposite his own door, he saw a man he knew and called out to him, "Farewell, old friend! Farewell hawking and hunting and old pastimes; I am now going a better way." The butchery of Gennings being over, "Despatch," said Wells, "Mr Topcliffe, despatch; are you not ashamed to let an old man stand here so long in his shirt in the cold?" Then, after apologising for a rude remark, about Topcliffe's parentage, he added, "I pray God make you, of a saul, a Paul." And in such-like speeches, full of charity and courage, he happily ended his course.
"He was a stout hunter before the Lord." - Gen. 10, 9.
Reading for 11th December
Mementoes of the Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales
by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory.
For our film about Saint Swithun Wells:
The Secret Mass Room
Saint Swithun Wells:
St. Swithun was named after an ancient saint of England often invoked for the weather. As a young man he travelled the continent before he met and married his devoutly Catholic wife, Alice. St. Swithun loved to share the faith during a troubled time in England and put himself out to ensure that the Mass was made available. He built a secret room in his London house where his friends could celebrate Mass and when it was finally discovered he joyfully faced his calling, leaving us a moving and inspiring witness of Catholic faithfulness. Featuring moments of creation and beauty with original haunting and medieval music written for the film.
In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with Saint Swithun Wells.
Length and Format:
St. Swithun was named after an ancient saint of England often invoked for the weather. As a young man he travelled the continent before he met and married his devoutly Catholic wife, Alice. St. Swithun loved to share the faith during a troubled time in England and put himself out to ensure that the Mass was made available. He built a secret room in his London house where his friends could celebrate Mass and when it was finally discovered he joyfully faced his calling, leaving us a moving and inspiring witness of Catholic faithfulness. Featuring moments of creation and beauty with original haunting and medieval music written for the film.
In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with Saint Swithun Wells.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
No comments:
Post a Comment