SHIELDING A FRIEND
Saint Alexander Briant
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| Father Robert Persons and Saint Alexander Briant - best friends © 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD |
Father Persons, being regarded as a most active and dangerous leader of Catholics, was ever an object of the pursuviants search; they never succeeded in his capture, but many other prizes were secured in his stead. Amongst these was taken Alexander Briant, a young man some twenty-five years of age, of gentle manners and a countenance of striking beauty. After three years at Oxford, he was reconciled and entered Douay, and in 1579 started as a priest on the English Mission. He laboured first in his own county, Somersetshire, where he brought back Persons' father to the Church, and thence went to London and took lodgings next to Persons, his closest and dearest friend.
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| Father Robert Persons and Saint Alexander Briant conceal Liturgical Vessels in their lodgings © 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD |
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| Saint Alexander Briant was arrested when his room was raided. A chalice was discovered upon his person, used for celebrating the outlawed Catholic Mass © 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD |
On his arrest he was confined to the Counter, and in that revolting prison, in order to extract from him Persons' whereabouts, he was for two days and nights entirely deprived of food and drink.
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| Saint Alexander Briant in prison uses his hat to catch water from the roof © 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from @saint Alexander Briant' DVD |
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| Needles were pushed underneath Saint Alexander Briant's finger nails by the Elizabethan Government © 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD |
He then contrived to get some stale cheese and hard bread with a pint of beer, but this brought on a maddening thirst. After six days in the Counter nothing had been gained from him, and sharper methods were resolved on.
"With thy comeliness and beauty set our, proceed prosperously and reign, because of truth, meekness and justice." - Ps. 44, 5-6.
Reading for 27th December
Mementoes of the Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales
by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory
Saint Alexander Briant DVD:
A touching and thought provoking journey with a very young and holy Catholic priest whose spiritual insight and wisdom of the Catholic Faith gave hope to the people of his day. Although linked to St. Edmund Campion, his story stands alone, edged with the mystical. From a young boy in Somerset to a young priest in the City of London, St. Alexander's story is filled with peace, encouragement and inspiration.
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 this young and holy priest.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available worldwide on Region Free DVD.
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