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| Original painting of Saint Edmund Campion Sent to Mary's Dowry Productions from Australia © 2010 |
Edmund Campion, the brilliant Oxford scholar, orator, Anglican deacon, convert - "One of England's diamonds" - was done to death in London on 1st December 1581 at the age of about forty. His tempestuous career as one of the first two Jesuit priests in England had lasted but fourteen months; then came betrayals, the rack in the Tower, the Tyburn gallows. He was brought out from his cell, in an old frieze gown, in the splash and mud of a wet morning. Cheerfully he saluted the crowd of spectators: "God save you all, gentlemen! God bless you and make you all good Catholics!"
After kneeling in prayer, he was strapped to the hurdle, his companions Ralph Sherwin and Alexander Briant being together bound on a second hurdle.
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| Saint Edmund Campion's last prayers in the Tower © 2008 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'God's Champion - Saint Edmund Campion' DVD |
They were dragged at the horses' tails through the gutter and filth, followed by a jeering rabble, sobered somewhat to see how gladly these men died. Some Catholics present were consoled by a word from him, and one gentleman wiped his face all spattered with mire and filth. Passing under the arch of Newgate, whereupon still stood an image of Our Lady, Campion raised himself and saluted her whom he hoped soon to see. At the gallows he began with a sweet firm voice, "Spectaculum facti sumus Deo angelis et hominibus, " but the sheriffs interrupted him, and urged him to confess his treason. He maintained his innocence, declined to join in prayer with the ministers, and asked all Catholics to say the Creed on his behalf. His last audible words were for "Elizabeth, your queen and my queen, unto whom I wish a long reign with all prosperity."
"We are made a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men." - 1 Cor. 4, 9 (quoted by Campion on the scaffold.
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| DVD of Saint Edmund Campion - runtime 1 hour © 2008 Mary's Dowry Productions |
St. Edmund Campion: A Hero Returns
Although he defended the Catholic Faith in Elizabethan England with outstanding writings that captured many audiences including the most powerful of the courts, St. Edmund Campion was a man of intense faith, prayer and hope. From his early life he sought the Truth, left his high position as Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, travelled Europe and returned to England to bring the Mass to the people in a hostile environment. his prayer, devotion and love of God shines out in his own words.
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 inspiring Elizabethan Saint.
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 inspiring Elizabethan Saint.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 1 hour and 5 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
Our film about Saint Edmund Campion is available from:
As seen on EWTN
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