Willing Sacrifices - St Robert Southwell on his Fellow Catholics (1) - Reading for 22nd February

WILLING SACRIFICES

Saint Robert Southwell on his Fellow Catholics (1) - Feast Day 21st February

 

 

Saint Robert Southwell thus described the condition of his fellow Catholics, clergy and laity:

"As yet we are alive and well, being unworthy, it seems, of prisons. We have oftener sent than received letters from your parts, though they are not sent without difficulty, and some we know have been lost. The condition of Catholic recusants here is the same as usual, deplorable and full of fears and dangers, more especially since our adversaries have looked for wars. As many of ours are in chains rejoice and are comforted in their prisons; and they that are at liberty set not their hearts upon it nor expect it to be of long continuance.

All, by the great goodness and mercy of God, arm themselves to suffer anything that can come, how hard soever it may be, as it shall please our Lord, for whose greater glory and the salvation of their souls they are more concerned than for any temporal losses. A little while ago they apprehended two priests, who have suffered such cruel usages in the prison of Bridewell as can scarce be believed. What was given them to eat was so little in quantity, and withal most filthy and nauseous."

 

 

 

"Then, said I, Behold I come...to do thy will, O my God." - Ps. 39, 7-9.

 

Reading for 22nd February from the Mementoes of the Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory.

 

 

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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.