Friday 24 April 2015

Nicholas Owen, Saint and English Martyr, the priest hole maker, includes the Gunpowder plot, Jesuits, Tower of London


Nicholas Owen, Saint and English Martyr, The Priest Hole Maker, DVD, Jesuits, Gunpowder Plot, Mary's Dowry Productions


Saint Nicholas Owen stands out from among a lot of the saints of his era as an ingenious priest-hole maker.  Travelling with Jesuit priests, even amidst the Gunpowder Plot, to build secret hiding places up and down Elizabethan and Jacobean England.  More than just a carpenter, Saint Nicholas had a deep faith which inspired him to become a Jesuit lay brother.

Saint Nicholas Owen measures a wall to build a priest hole
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Nicholas Owen: The Priest Hole Maker' 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 this inspiring and fascinating priest-hole maker.
Length and Format: 
 
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available worldwide on Region Free DVD.St. Nicholas Owen is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, victim soul, model for the youth, DVD worldwide through Mary's Dowry Productions

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, DVD, victim soul, model of purity, available worldwide on DVD  from Mary's Dowry Productions


Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa:
She was just fourteen years old when this spirited and humorous Portuguese girl chose to jump out of a high window so as to escape an attack upon her purity. Her spine was irreparably injured in the fall and she soon found herself bedridden for the rest of her life at the age of twenty.  She did not despair however, and amidst unspeakable pain she entered upon an astounding vocation - to embrace a specific calling by Christ as a 'Victim Soul'.  In this documentary, the life of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa presents a deeply absorbing, thought-provoking and inspiring look at the deep love of Our Lord for mankind, Faith and virtue, at reparation, devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and the need for mankind to convert. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004 Blessed Alexandrina has been proposed by the Church as 'a model of purity and perseverance in the Faith for today's youth".  
What you will hear:
The life of Blessed Alexandrina in a narrative telling her whole journey, mission and death, interspersed with quotes of Our Lord to Blessed Alexandrina. Original music to accompany the narrative.
What you will see:
Photographs of Balasar, Portugal including Blessed Alexandrina’s house and village.  Costumed visuals of Blessed Alexandrina and those associated with her story to help aid the narrative. The film is presented in black and white for 50 minutes, concluding in colour.
Length:
The film runs for 55 minutes.
Target Audience:
The film is suitable for all ages, aimed mainly at Catholics with an understanding of the Faith and an appreciation for the spiritual life. 
The producers:
Mary’s Dowry Productions was established in 2007. The films presenting the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of the Church provide original and simple ways to share the stories and words of these heroic examples of the Faith.
Format:
Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

St. John of the Cross Film, reformer, mystic, contemplative, Carmelite - his life on DVD

John of the Cross, Saint, DVD, out now from Mary's Dowry Productions - the life of Spanish Mystic, Poet and Carmelite

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

Saint John of the Cross
© 2015 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'St. John of the Cross' DVD
 
Saint John of the Cross, O.C.D. (Spanish: San Juan de la Cruz; 1542[ – 14 December 1591), was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, a Roman Catholic saint, a Carmelite friar and a priest who was born at Fontiveros, Old Castile.
John of the Cross was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered, along with Saint Teresa of Ávila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. He is also known for his writings. Both his poetry and his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature and one of the peaks of all Spanish literature. He was canonized as a saint in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is one of the thirty-six Doctors of the Church.
 Our film about Saint John of the Cross runs for 30 minutes. 
St. John of the Cross is available on Region Free DVD worldwide:

Saturday 18 April 2015

Walsingham, England's Shrine, Our Lady of Walsingham, Richeldis de Faversham, a new DVD, film, Mary's Dowry Productions

Walsingham, England's Shrine

A presentation of Richeldis de Faverches and Our Lady of Walsingham - DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions


A prayerful and spiritual film that looks at the whole history of Our Lady of Walsingham, beginning with the dreams and mystical experiences of Lady Richeldis de Faverches and covering almost 1000 years of devotion in England. Presented from Arundel Cathedral during the visit of a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. 
In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

www.marysdowryproductions.org
 

Saint Cuthman of Steyning, Saxon Saint, Catholic church builder, miracle worker, DVD of his life

Cuthman of Steyning, Saint and Saxon Shepherd - DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions.

     In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
  Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.
 
 Steyning is a little village in West Sussex where, in Saxon times, Saint Cuthman built a church in honour of Our Lord which still stands today. St. Cuthman of Steyning is particularly noted for its uplifting soundtrack. 
Our film is available on DVD through:
 

Saint Edmund Campion, English Martyr, Elizabethan Jesuit, FILM, DVD, EWTN, MAry's Dowry Productions, God's Champion

God's Champion - St. Edmund Campion - DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions - a great Elizabethan Jesuit Martyr.

    
God’s Champion – St. Edmund Campion:

A shorter version of our long film about St. Edmund Campion with additional focus on his influence upon the Earl of Arundel, a fellow Catholic convert.  Prayerful and insightful.
 
Saint Edmund Campion arrives in Elizabethan England
Screenshot from 'God's Champion'
© 2009 Mary's Dowry Productions
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 30 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
 
www.marysdowryproductions.org

Converted by Good Example, King Ethelbert and Saint Bertha, Saint and Queen of Kent


Bertha, Saint, Queen of Kent, patron of Saint Augustine of Canterbury - DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions.

    
St. Bertha: Queen of Kent
A French princess who brought her Catholic priest to Pagan England, paving the way for St. Augustine's Gregorian Mission, converted her husband, the king of Kent, through her prayer, gentleness and kindness.  A fusion of Gregorian chant, contemporary and contemplative original music with mysterious and beautiful imagery lifts this inspiring story of hope and new life to the present day. 
Saint Bertha - Queen of Kent
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Bertha' 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 Bertha. 
 

Saint Philomena, DVD, a look at this powerful Catholic Saint and early Martyr in a new film.

Philomena, Saint - DVD - available from Mary's Dowry Productions - a powerful and absorbing look at this wonderful Grecian princess, Saint and early Martyr.

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.
 

St. Philomena tells her story in this new film about her life which also includes a look at the history of devotion to her, the finding of her relics, her great devotees including Saints and Popes, her role as Protectress of the Living Rosary Association and how powerful she is with God. With many beautiful and relevant works of art, footage of nature, a costumed visual of St. Philomena, photographs of her imagery, narrative and an original score this is a detailed, devotional, contemplative and simple presentation especially for those who have never encountered her.  
What you will hear:
The life of St. Philomena and informative narrative for the whole length of the film beginning with an opening narration followed by her life told from her own point of view and finishing with a concluding narrative. Original music to accompany the narrative.
What you will see:
A selection of paintings, historical art, sacred imagery, abstract and relevant artwork and photographs; a simple costumed visual of St. Philomena and footage of English countryside, help aid the narrative. 
Length:
The film runs for 30 minutes.
Target Audience:
The film is suitable for all ages, aimed mainly at Catholics with an understanding of the Faith and an appreciation for the spiritual life. 
The producers:
Mary’s Dowry Productions was established in 2007. The films presenting the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of the Church provide original and simple ways to share the stories and words of these heroic examples of the Faith.
Format:
‘St. Philomena’ is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Saint Polydore Plasden, priest of Tyburn and English Martyr, a film of his life


Polydore Plasden, Saint and English Catholic Martyr, DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions.   


St. Polydore Plasden
At 28 years old St. Polydore Plasden loved Our Lord in the Eucharist.  This love he imparted to the people around him.  During a difficult time in English history, St. Polydore brought the joy of the Gospel to the Elizabethan people.  This film opens a window into Polydore's life showing how he loved his friends, loved God and spent himself in the service of others.  Moving, contemplative and inspiring with a haunting cello and atmospheric style this film shows how we too can imitate his simple yet deep faith. 
Saint Polydore Plasden in prison
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from Saint Polydore Plasden 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 this holy priest.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 30 minutes and
is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
 
 

Saint Bede, Beda, a film of his life, early Saint on DVD, Mary's Dowry Productions, English history


Bede: Bǣda or Bēda; 672/673 – 26 May 735), also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede (Latin: Bēda Venerābilis), was an English Catholic monk at the monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth and its companion monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow (see Monkwearmouth-Jarrow), County Durham, both of which were then in the Kingdom of Northumbria. He is well known as an author and scholar, and his most famous work, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title "The Father of English History".
In 1899, Saint Bede was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII; he is the only native of Great Britain to achieve this designation (Anselm of Canterbury, also a Doctor of the Church, was originally from Italy). Bede was moreover a skilled linguist and translator, and his work made the Latin and Greek writings of the early Church Fathers much more accessible to his fellow Anglo-Saxons, contributing significantly to English Christianity. Bede's monastery had access to an impressive library which included works by Eusebius and Orosius, among many others.
 
In 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed some prayerful visuals of Saint Bede for a film of his life.
Beautifully uplifting and contemplative music accompanies an informative narrative that, while detailed and filled with historical facts, offers a prayerful way to encounter one of our early Christian Saints.
 
Saint Bede is available on DVD worldwide through:

 

 

Saint Helen and the True Cross, a new film about Saint Helen on DVD

 
Saint Helen and the True Cross
Catholicism and archaeology combine in a story of the Roman Empire and Catholic Spirituality amidst miracles, searching and trust.  From England to Jerusalem, the holy Empress St. Helen's love of the form of the cross gave her a holy and inspired determination to discover it.  She inspired her son, Constantine, to change the world.

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 Helen.
 
Our DVD is available all region formats, worldwide through:

John Southworth, priest of Westminster, Saint and Martyr, DVD - a prayerful journey, Guild of Saint John Southworth, English Saint, film


John Southworth, Saint and English Martyr - his life and mission on DVD - from  Mary's Dowry Productions

    
In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
Saint John Southworth visiting the sick in London
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD
 
Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

Saint John Southworth in prison
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD

In 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed scenes from specific moments in the lives of Saint John Southworth and Saint Henry Morse, two priests and English Martyrs who worked together in England. Their mission was to share the love and joy of the Gospel with the English people. Saint John Southworth selflessly travelled England, especially working in the Westminster area, in the 17th century, touching all he met with his kindness and love of God. We were able to film some reflective moments from his life which included visiting victims of the plague, writing his letter with Saint Henry Morse to Queen Henrietta, his time of prayer and reflection and his good example given in prison and at Tyburn. Saint John Southworth has left us an inspiring example of faith and the Gospel especially during times of difficulty in society.

Saint John Southworth

Father John Southworth came from a Lancashire family who lived at Samlesbury Hall. They chose to pay heavy fines rather than give up the Catholic faith. He studied at the English College in Douai, now in northern France, (and then moved to Hertfordshire, St Edmunds College) and was ordained priest before he returned to England. Imprisoned and sentenced to death for professing the Catholic faith, he was later deported to France. Once more he returned to England and lived in Clerkenwell, London, during a plague epidemic. He assisted and converted the sick in Westminster and was arrested again.

Plague Doctors in 17th Century England
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD
He was again arrested under the Interregnum and was tried at the Old Bailey under Elizabethan anti-priest legislation . He pleaded guilty to exercising the priesthood and was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. At his execution at Tyburn, London, he suffered the full pains of his sentence and was hanged, drawn and quartered. The Spanish ambassador returned his corpse to Douai for burial. His corpse was sewn together and parboiled, to preserve it. Following the French Revolution, his body was buried in an unmarked grave for its protection. The grave was discovered in 1927 and his remains were returned to England.

Saint John Southworth's body in Westminster Cathedral today
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD
They are now kept in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs in Westminster Cathedral in London. Saint John Southworth was beatified in 1929. In 1970, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
His feast day is 27 June but this is only celebrated in the Westminster diocese.
In 2014, The Guild of Saint John Southworth was established in Westminster Cathedral. Its members are volunteers who will meet visitors, answer their questions and guide them around the cathedral if they wish. This service is free.
 
Saint John Southworth at Tyburn - man of prayer and hope
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD
Saint John Southworth:
We invite you to prayerfully and quietly take a journey with Saint John Southworth, the priest of Westminster in our original film of his life and mission in England. Saint John Southworth 

What you will hear:
The life of Saint John Southworth in a narrative for the whole length of the film giving details, facts and insights into his life and Martyrdom. Original music to accompany the narrative.
St. John Southworth is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

"I am a soldier of the Cross, and it will be my standard unto death." - Saint Alexander Briant, English Martyr, DVD, Robert Persons, English Mission


Shielding a Friend
Saint Alexander Briant - English Martyr

Father Persons, being regarded as a most active and dangerous leader of Catholics, was ever an object of the pursuivants' search; they never succeeded in his capture, but many other priests 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 country, 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.
Robert Persons and Saint Alexander Briant, best friends
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD
On his arrest he was confined in 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. 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.

Saint Alexander Briant tries to collect rainwater in his hat
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD

"With thy comeliness and beauty set out, proceed prosperously and reign, because of truth, meekness and justice." - Ps. 44, 5-6.

Saint Alexander Briant:
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.
 
Saint Alexander Briant carves a cross in prison
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' 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 this young and holy priest.
Length and Format:
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available worldwide on Region Free DVD.
Our film about Saint Alexander Briant is available on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions online shop:
www.marysdowryproductions.org
We ship worldwide and region free



John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr, a film of his life on DVD, Cardinal, England, Saint, Martyr, Mary's Dowry Productions, Tudors


Saint John Fisher, English Martyr DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions - 1 hour.

     Saint John Fisher:
Almost everyone has seen "A Man For All Seasons" which focuses upon St. Thomas More, but the only other leading figure in Catholic Tudor England who placed God before the King was St. John Fisher, the Bishop of Rochester who was made Cardinal of England in the Tower of London.  Beginning with his early life as a young boy, we follow St. John Fisher through the Tudor Courts, his assassination attempts on his life and his writings and holy family life.
 
Saint John Fisher in prayer and meditation
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Fisher'

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 John Fisher.
Length and Format:
The film runs for one hour and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
 

Saint Philip Howard, the Earl of Arundel, English Martyr - a film of his life, Arundel Cathedral, Tower, Robert Southwell, Mary's Dowry Productions, EWTN


Philip of Arundel, Saint and English Martyr on DVD -Mary's Dowry Productions.

     Saint Philip of Arundel:
St. Philip Howard was the Earl of Arundel in West Sussex where his beautiful castle stands today.  The castle is featured in this film.  He was also Queen Elizabeth I's cousin.  St. Philip became a Catholic during a troubled time in Elizabethan England.  He loved to pray and was able to keep his beloved dog with him in the Tower of London.  His shrine is in Arundel Cathedral and his life gives us an inspiring story of kindness and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  St. Philip tells his story in his own words with beautiful contemplative music composed in a medieval and contemporary style.
Statue at the Shrine of Saint Philip Howard in Arundel Cathedral
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' 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 this Elizabethan Saint.
Length and Format:
 
The film runs for 30 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
Born in the Strand, London, he was the only child of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, and Lady Mary FitzAlan, daughter of Henry, Earl of Arundel. He was baptised at Whitehall Palace with the Royal Family in attendance, and was named after his godfather, Philip II, King of Spain. Philip Howard was born during the upheaval of the Reformation. His home from the age of seven was a former Carthusian monastery. At the age of fourteen, he was married to his stepsister, Anne Dacre. He graduated at St John's College, Cambridge in 1574 and was about eighteen when he attended Queen Elizabeth's Court.[3] His life had been a frivolous one both at Cambridge and at Court where he was a favourite of the Queen.
 
Arundel Castle
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' DVD
 
On 1 October 1569, Philip Howard's father the Duke of Norfolk was arrested for his intrigues against Queen Elizabeth I. His father was attainted and executed in 1572, but Philip Howard succeeded to his mother's inheritance upon the death of his grandfather, becoming Earl of Arundel in 1580. He was present in 1581, at a debate in the Tower of London between, Fr Edmund Campion, Jesuit, Fr Ralph Sherwin, and a group of Protestant theologians. He was so impressed by the Catholics that he experienced a conversion moment. He renounced his previous, frivolous life and was reconciled with his wife.
Saint Philip Howard, with much of his family, remained Catholic recusants during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. They also attempted to leave England without permission. While some might have been able to do this unobserved, Arundel was second cousin (once removed) of the Queen. He was betrayed by a servant and arrested not long after his ship set sail from Littlehampton.Howard was committed to the Tower of London on 25 April 1585. While charges of high treason were never proved, he spent ten years in the Tower, until his death of dysentery. Queen Elizabeth never signed the death warrant, but Philip was never told.
 
Shrine and Tomb of Saint Philip Howard
© Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip Howard' DVD
 Saint Philip Howard was kept constantly in fear of execution, although comforted by the companionship of a dog, which served as go-between with Philip and other prisoners, most notably the priest Saint Robert Southwell. Although these two great men never met, Philip’s dog helped them to deepen their friendship and exchange encouragement in each other's plight. Philip loved his pet, who is remembered along with him in a statue at Arundel Cathedral.
 
Anne Dacre, wife of Saint Philip Howard
© 2015 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Robert Southwell' DVD
One day Philip scratched into a wall of his cell these words: "Quanto plus afflictiones pro Christo in hoc saeculo, tanto plus gloriae cum Christo in futuro" – 'the more affliction [we endure] for Christ in this world, the more glory [we shall obtain] with Christ in the next' (cf. Rom 8).
He had petitioned the Queen as he lay dying to allow him to see his wife and his son, who had been born after his imprisonment. The Queen responded that "If he will but once attend the Protestant Service, he shall not only see his wife and children, but be restored to his honors and estates with every mark of my royal favor." To this, Philip is supposed to have replied, "Tell Her Majesty if my religion be the cause for which I suffer, sorry I am that I have but one life to lose." He remained in the Tower, never seeing his wife or daughter again and died alone on Sunday, 19 October 1595.He was immediately acclaimed as a Catholic Martyr.
He was buried without ceremony beneath the floor of the church of St Peter ad Vincula, inside the walls of the Tower. Twenty nine years later, his widow and son obtained permission from King James I of England to move the body to the Fitzalan Chapel located on the western grounds of Arundel Castle. Some of his bones are also found within his shrine at Arundel Cathedral.
He was attainted in 1589, but his son Thomas eventually was restored in blood and succeeded as Earl of Arundel, and to the lesser titles of his grandfather.
 
Arundel Cathedral
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' DVD
 
Saint Philip Howard is one of the patron saints of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. Arundel Cathedral, originally known as the Church of St. Philip Neri, was commissioned by the 15th Duke of Norfolk in 1868. It was created a Cathedral in 1965 and its dedication was changed to Our Lady and St. Philip Howard in October 1970. His tomb was moved to the Cathedral in 1971 and remains a site of pilgrimage.
 
Our film about Saint Philip Howard is available on DVD through: