A VALIANT WOMAN
Saint Margaret Clitherow - English Martyr
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| Screenshot from 'Saint Margaret Clitherow' DVD © 2009 Mary's Dowry Productions |
MARGARET MIDDLETON married John Clitherow, butcher and grazier, a freeman of the city of York, in 1571, and shortly afterwards became a Catholic. During the following twelve years her house was a refuge for priests, whom she received at her own peril, and she brought up her children in the faith; her husband was not a Catholic, but seems not to have hampered his wife's activities..
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| Saint Margaret Clitherow hides forbidden liturgical items in a safe room © 2009 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Margaret Clitherow' DVD |
For her persistent recusancy Margaret was several times put in prison, even for two years together, but her sufferings only increased her fervour. "Were it not," she said, "for my husband and children I would rather stay there always, apart from the world with God."
She was most attentive to the care of her house, witty, cheerful and good-looking, and her constancy and patience never failed. Her husband was later to say of her, "Let them take all I have and save her, for she is the best wife in all England, and the best Catholic."
She has, he said, only two faults, fasting too much and refusing to go to church.
"Her children rose up and called her blessed, her husband, and he praised her. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all." - Prov. 31, 28-29.
Mementoes of the Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales
by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory.
Our film about Saint Margaret Clitherow is available from:
Saint Margaret Clitherow:
In the historical context of Saint Margaret's time in history, the spiritual aspects of her faith bore fruit in her simple daily tasks, fulfilled in her intention of serving her fellow York citizens, sheltering hunted priests and making sure that her children received a proper Catholic education in a climate of Elizabethan hostility. Her conflict with the Earl of Huntington, Queen Elizabeth I's cousin, culminated in a poignant and moving witness for the Catholic Church in England. She is held up and remembered inspiringly for Christians today.
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| Saint Margaret Clitherow reads 'The Imitation of Christ' in prison © 2009 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Margaret Clitherow' DVD |
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 Margaret Clitherow. Closing the distance of time between Elizabethan England and the present day, encounter this inspiring young wife and mother.
Length and Format:
The film runs for one hour and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
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