Mary's Dowry Productions

Richard Gwyn, Welsh Martyr, Catholic films, Assizes, attacked by crows (film production images 4)

2011-07-18T22:12:00.008+01:00

Further film production stills from an original docudrama on the life and Martyrdom of Welsh Saint Richard Gwyn. Plunge back into the treachery, trauma and turmoils of the Elizabethan Era and meet a king hearted, humorous man whose love for his family, life, Faith and God saw him persecuted, hunted and eventually executed for the Catholic Faith in Wales.This original docudrama written, filmed, edited and produced by Mary's Dowry Productions presents a selection of rich portrayals from the life of St. Richard Gwyn, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Scenes include St. Richard with his family (above) and St. Richard Gwyn apprehended by fanatical Puritan cloth merchant David Edwards (below).

At the Assizes in Wrexham, false witnesses bribed by David Edwards tried to give evidence to condemn St. Richard Gwyn to death. Below, David Edwards purgers himself in court in his attempt to see Catholic Richard Gwyn executed.

Screenshots below show St. Richard Gwyn with his family as they travel about Wales avoiding the authorities. This recusant Catholic family keenly shared the Faith that they loved with neighbours and people that they lived near.

In his earlier life, when savagely pressured and induced to attend the State Church, St. Richard Gwyn agreed to attend due to his concern for the welfare of his family. As he left the Protestant Church in Overton a very strange thing happened. A great flock of kites and crows swooped down upon him and began to peck his face and head (shown below). St. Richard Gwyn resolved never again to violate his conscience by attending the Protestant Church.

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St. Richard Gwyn, Catholic films from Mary's Dowry Productions (film production images 3)

2011-07-18T21:53:00.006+01:00

Further screenshots from an original docudrama written, filmed, edited and produced by British Catholic film production company Mary's Dowry Productions. Bringing to life little known and well known historical figures, Saints and Martyrs from history. Original portrayals from this production on Welsh Martyr St. Richard Gwyn show the prosecutor at the Spring Assizes of 1582 in Wrexham, threatening St. Richard Gwyn, John Hughes and Robert Morris.

Below, Catherine Hughes comforts the jailers wife Mrs. Cotymore in the prison. The jailer and his wife grew very fond of St. Richard Gwyn and were distraught to learn of his execution. What was worse was that jailer Cotymore had to hang St. Richard Gwyn as a punishment for showing too much leniency toward the Papist prisoner.

Below is a screenshot from the docudrama showing St. Richard Gwyn travelling with his family. The Gwyn family were forced to leave Overton due to St. Richard's absence from the State Church services. In order to avoid taking the Oath of Supremecy, the Gwyn family moved around and eventually settled in an old empty barn in Erbistock.

After his arrest, St. Richard Gwyn lingered in prison and was brought to the Assizes many times. Below he awaits trial with fellow recusant Catholics John Hughes and Robert Morris. John Hughes was released from prison and a little later Robert Morris was also given a reprieve. Both men grew fond of St. Richard Gwyn whose good humour and love of the Catholic Faith drew many souls to the Faith too.

Below is a screenshot showing the last walk of St. Richard Gwyn from the prison to the gallows in Wrexham market place. Catherine Gwyn rebukes David Edwards, the Puritan cloth merchant who captured her husband, but St. Richard Gwyn gently rebuked her and exhorted her to forgive for if they did not forgive him then all of their sufferings would be in vain.

This noble Welshman was not only a man of deep Faith and morals, with a love of the Catholic Church and fellow man, but he was fascinated in the rich folklore of his country, and being fluent in Welsh he wrote songs and poetry in the language. Mary’s Dowry Productions is pleased to bring this heroic Welsh Martyr to the screen in an original docudrama rich with the history, faith and culture of Great Britain, with portrayals, sacred art, historical imagery and facts. For other films on the little known and well-known historical figures, Saints and Martyrs of history visit our website:
www.marysdowryproductions.org

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St. Richard Gwyn and his wife Catherine Gwyn in prison, Welsh Martyr (film production stills 2)

2011-07-18T21:44:00.004+01:00

A selection of production stills from an original docudrama on the life of Welsh Martyr St. Richard Gwyn. Here we see a still from the film showing St. Richard Gwyn praying with his wife Catherine Gwyn during his imprisonment for refusing to attend the Elizabethan state Church, refusing to pay fines for not attending, and refusing to deny the Catholic Faith. This original docudrama has been written, filmed, edited and producted by British Catholic film production company Mary's Dowry Productions. Steeped in the history of the era, this heroic Welshman's fascinating life is brought to film in an absorbing docudrama that combines original portrayals, music, narration, art and historical imagery.

Mary's Dowry Productions is pleased to produce original portrayals from the life of St. Richard Gwyn bringing to life this brave, good humoured Welsh Martyr whose great love of the Catholic Faith during the Elizabethan persecutions saw him face a gruesome death at the gallows of Wrexham.
For more docudramas on the lives of little known and well known historical figures, Saints and Martyrs visit our website:

VISIT OUR NEW BLOG:

St. Richard Gwyn, Welsh Martyr, (film production stills 1)

2011-07-18T21:29:00.005+01:00

A selection of production images from an original docudrama on the life of St. Richard Gwyn, Welsh Martyr written, filmed, edited and produced by Mary's Dowry Productions. In this screenshot from a scene in the film we see the well-known meeting of St. Richard Gwyn with 'the minister with a large purple nose' as St. Richard Gwyn spends the day in the town stocks. The minister wished to discuss the Keys of the Kingdom of which he believed he had been given as well as St. Peter. St. Richard Gwyn's famous reply was that there was a difference. St. Peter had been given the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven whereas he had obviously been given the keys to the beer cellar.
Mary's Dowry Productions is pleased to produce original portrayals from the life of St. Richard Gwyn bringing to life this brave, good humoured Welsh Martyr whose great love of the Catholic Faith during the Elizabethan persecutions saw him face a gruesome death at the gallows of Wrexham.
For more docudramas on the lives of little known and well known historical figures, Saints and Martyrs visit our website:
www.marysdowryproductions.org

St. Richard Gwyn, Elizabethan Martyr, Catholic Saint - new upcoming Docudrama

2011-07-07T21:52:00.002+01:00

The Mary's Dowry Productions team had a busy day on Saturday 2nd July 2011 filming original visuals for an upcoming docudrama on the life of St. Richard Gwyn. Steeped in the history of the era, this likable Elizabethan Welshman's life was embroiled in the culture, politics and drama of Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Above is a promotional headshot for the upcoming film showing the historical portrait of St. Richard Gwyn and our actor who portrayed him. Richard Gwyn's story will fascinate and interest all for he was a man of good humour, cheer, honesty and faith whose love of justice, freedom and God gives a powerful encounter with the thought and reality of the times, very relevant for today. Coming Soon!

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Catholic Films and Music
and our NEW website and online shop at:

What if you were a Catholic Bishop in England?

2011-06-29T16:44:00.001+01:00

Saint Thomas More Trailer, English Martyr

2011-06-11T23:43:00.002+01:00

A NEW trailer for a film by Mary's Dowry Productions on the life and witness of Saint Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England - COMING SOON!

www.marysdoryproductions.org

Saint Francis of Assisi Film

2011-06-09T22:52:00.003+01:00

Be sure to check our online shop over the next few weeks for the release of our latest film, this time on the life of 'Saint Francis of Assisi'. This great Saint and founder in the Universal Church is here presented as never seen before in a 45 minute biography. A truly powerful encounter with the Saint and his challenging message.

Coming soon!

Final filming for ST. JOHN FISHER

2011-06-01T21:33:00.015+01:00

On Saturday 28th May the Mary's Dowry Productions team completed filming portrayals for two films: Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher, who are two great Englishmen that were Martyred for the Catholic Faith by King Henry VIII.

Visuals that were filmed on set for 'Saint John Fisher' included the early Court of King Henry VI with the King's mother Lady Margaret Beaufort whose confessor and Spiritual Director was Saint John Fisher. The set was then altered to fast forward into the court of Lady Beaufort's grandson King Henry VIII. Other scenes included the home of Bishop John Fisher. Below are screenshots from the day. The films will be coming soon!

Lady Margaret Beaufort and Saint John Fisher

Saint John Fisher in his study at Rochester.

Saint John Fisher speaks with King Henry VIII and Cromwell

Thomas Cromwell

Queen Catherine of Aragon and Saint John Fisher

Sts Thomas More and John Fisher at the Court of King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII and Bishop John Fisher

King Henry VIII's fury at not having the support of Sts Thomas More and John Fisher. Cromwell and Lady Anne Boleyn look on.

Saint John Fisher at home.

A courtier reads a letter opposing the King's illicit plans for England and the Catholic Church, his divorce and marriage to Lady Anne Boleyn.

Saint John Fisher with his servants whom he loved as his own family.

A servant tries to prevent Saint John Fisher from leaving his home to attend the Convocation of Bishops as he is so ill.

These films are currently in production and will be released on DVD soon!

Final filming for ST. THOMAS MORE

2011-05-31T20:58:00.019+01:00

On Saturday 28th May the 'Mary's Dowry Productions' team spent the day filming portrayals of the life of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher for two upcoming films. Imagery included scenes at the court of King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More's house at Chelsea. Below are some of the screenshots from footage acquired on that day for the upcoming film on Saint Thomas More.

Saint Thomas More's son John, wife Alice and daughter Cecily at their home in Chelsea.

St. Thomas at the court of King Henry VIII while Cromwell looks on.

Saint Thomas More at the court of the King.

Saint Thomas More studying and writing at his home in Chelsea.

Saint Thomas More watches in disapproval as the King speaks with Anne Boleyn at court.

Saint Thomas More and Cardinal Wolsey

The King's eye is keen upon Lady Anne Boleyn as Queen Catherine of Aragon sits at his side.

Saint Thomas More and his family

King Henry reminds Saint Thomas of his loyalty to his King and his Chain of Office.

Sir Thomas leaves the court after having tried to resign the office of Chancellor.

Saint Thomas points out in Scripture passages to convince the King not to divorce his lawful Queen Catherine.

Saint Thomas More returns the Chain of Office.

King Henry VIII and Cromwell plot against the King's former close friend and Chancellor, holding the returned Chain of Office.

St. Thomas, his daughter Margaret and son John.

St. Thomas, his son John and wife Alice.

St. Thomas at his home in Chelsea

Saint Thomas More bids farewell to his family after he is summoned to take the Oath.

St. Thomas More film COMING SOON.

NEW Film on SAINT JOHN FISHER

2011-05-16T20:15:00.006+01:00

Filming has started on two new FILMS from Mary's Dowry Productions: Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher. On Saturday 14th May the scenes that take place at Tower Hill and the Tower of London were filmed. Further scenes in the Court of King Henry VIII and Bishop Fisher's home in Rochester will take place at the end of May. Watch this space!

Bishop Fisher and his servant.

A heretic Bishop sent by King Henry VIII to persuade Bishop Fisher to take the Oath.

Cromwell in the cell of Bishop Fisher.

Almost at Tower Hill, Bishop Fisher pauses and reads a last verse of Scripture.

"Here is even learning enough for me to my life's end."

COMING SOON
www.marysdowryproductions.org

NEW Film on SAINT THOMAS MORE

2011-05-16T19:37:00.019+01:00

Filming for a new production on the life of Saint Thomas More, Chancellor of England, who was beheaded by King Henry VIII in 1535, was started this past weekend. The Mary's Dowry Productions team filmed scenes that take place within the Tower of London and at Tower Hill.

Further filming will be at the end of May in the court of King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More's home in Chelsea. This looks set to be a great and powerful film on one of our excellent English Martyrs. Below are some first screen shots from the footage so far.

Saint Thomas More in his cell in the Tower of London. A great friend of King Henry VIII and one of the best lawyers, judge's and scholars that England has ever seen, this admired Englishman refused to acknowledge the King's divorce or his title as Supreme Head of the Church in England.
From his cell, Sir Thomas More watches the first the Henrician Martyrs led out to their deaths - three Carthusian friars who were hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn for the Catholic Faith and their loyalty to the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter.
Margaret More was perhaps Sir Thomas More's favourite daughter. She so admired and loved her father that she agreed under oath to persuade him to take the Oath of Supremacy so as to be able to visit him in his cell.

Sir Thomas More says goodbye to his daughter Margaret and his wife Alice.

A gift from Cardinal John Fisher who was also kept in the Tower of London for refusing to take the Oath. Sir Thomas and the Cardinal exchanged gifts of oranges and custards so as to test their line of communication and then wrote one another notes about the Oath and their upcoming trials.

Thomas Cromwell visiting Sir Thomas More in the Tower of London to persuade him to take the Oath.

On returning from his trial, Margaret More breaks through the crowd to speak with her father one last time. After his execution, Margaret retrieved her father's head from a display pike.

Sir Thomas More's last speech at Tower Hill.

Sir Thomas More bravely facing the sentence of beheading for the Catholic Faith in England. He died the king's good servant, but God's first.

More information COMING SOON!

Saint Simon Stock. New film from Mary's Dowry Productions.

2011-04-21T20:52:00.010+01:00

The Mary's Dowry Productions team were busy this week up on the hills of Sussex filming scenes for two new productions which included a film on

'Saint Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular'.

Saint Simon Stock was a 13th Century Englishman and one of the most important Saints of the Church for it was through him that Our Lady gave us the Brown Scapular devotion and the amazing promises and graces that are attached to it.

Saint Simon Stock's story is set in the lovely surroundings of the English Countryside. When he was a young man he longed for solitude so as to able to spend his time in prayer and so set off and set up home in the hollow of a tree or 'stock', thus earning him his surname.

In his hermitage Saint Simon Stock lived on wild apples, roots and herbs and fresh water and spent many years in solitude and prayer.

One day God called Saint Simon Stock from his solitude so as to join the Carmelite Order, which had just come into England from Palestine.

It was in this Order that Saint Simon Stock was gradually to be elected as the 6th General. The Carmelites were at that time very persecuted and so they prayed to Our Lady to assist them. Saint Simon Stock asked for a great privilege for the Carmelite Order and while at prayer he received a vision of Our Lady who gave him the scapular. With the Brown Scapular Saint Simon Stock worked many miracles. Above is a scene that we shot showing him about to place the scapular over the shoulders of a sick woman. She was healed through his prayers and the wearing of the Scapular. The sacramental spread throughout the world and down the centuries in the Christian Church and remains a popular and important part of Catholic life today.

We still have additional scenes to shoot for this film and have completed many more, but do check back for further information on this great Saint coming soon to film!

Saint Benedict. New film from Mary's Dowry Productions.

2011-04-21T20:36:00.007+01:00

The Mary's Dowry Productions team had fun filming out on location at the remains of an Iron Age fort in Sussex this week for the first scenes in a new production on Saint Benedict of Nursia. This great founder of the Benedictines has a brilliant story which we are looking forward to putting together.

Scenes that we shot for showed Saint Benedict's early life. He is the brother of Saint Scholastica and was born in the 5th Century. He studied in Rome but soon left the City because he was disgusted with the lives of sin surrounding him there.

His servant insisted on accompanying him to begin with but when Saint Benedict began to work miracles which included miraculously mending a broken pot/plate, he left her company too and sought a life of complete solitude.

The clumsy servant and her plate.

A great shot of the plate smashing.

Saint Benedict and his servant.

Saint Benedict checks that his servant is sleeping so as to make his sneaky getaway.

Further scenes for this production will be shot over the next few weeks so check back soon and look out for a NEW film on this great Saint of the Church - Saint Benedict!

Saint Clare of Assisi. New film from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-21T20:29:00.002+01:00

A new film on 'Saint Clare of Assisi' is currently in production from Mary's Dowry Productions. With original portrayals of Saint Clare and a blend of Sacred Art and historical images this is a NEW fresh biography on one of the most popular Saints of the Universal Church. Her story is inspiring and admirable - she was a great witness to the power of the Holy Eucharist, prayer, sacrifice and simplicity. Her journey is set in the 12th Century.

COMING SOON.

For more information visit our website and click the UPCOMING button.

Francis of Assisi. A NEW film from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-06T21:02:00.002+01:00

Currently in production as of April 2011 and due for release in the next month or two, a new film on one of the most popular Saints of the Universal Church

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Filmed on locations in England, this is an original and relevant presentation of this great Saint perhaps as he has never seen before. Visit our website for more information at:

http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/MAGNETS_from_MDP.html

Mary's Dowry Productions is an apostolate founded in 2007 to promote the Saints and Martyrs of the Catholic Church through film, media and prayer. We are currently working on several film productions due for release over the coming months.

Saint Edmund Campion. NEW Painting. New fridge magnet and keyring. Exclusively from Mary's Dowry Productions.

2011-04-05T18:15:00.002+01:00

Available from Mary's Dowry Productions with permission from the artist, this NEW painting of Saint Edmund Campion, Jesuit priest and English Martyr, is available as a magnet in two sizes including jumbo and a keyring exclusively from our online shop.

http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/MAGNETS_from_MDP.html A selection of fridge magnets and keyrings bringing our beloved Saints and Martyrs closer to your every day life. Available to order from our online shop each item presents the images of a Catholic Saint or Martyr. Place them on your fridge and remember them as you go about daily chores or carry them with you in a keyring. From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions

An award wining apostolate founded in 2007 to promote the lives of the Saints and Martyrs using original film, media, holy reminders and prayer. As seen on EWTN

Saint Teresa of Avila. New magnet and keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T18:10:00.002+01:00

An award winning apostolate established in 2007 to spread the lives of the Saints and Martyrs using film, media, holy reminders and prayer.

As seen on EWTN

Saint Benedict. New fridge magnet and keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T18:06:00.002+01:00

A NEW range of popular and well-known Saints is now available exclusively from Mary's Dowry Productions including: Saint Faustina, Saint Padre Pio, Saint Clare of Assisi, Saint Catherine of Siena, a NEW Saint Edmund Campion, Saint Maximilian Kolbe and many more. From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions A new apostolate dedicated to spreading the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church through film, media, holy reminders and prayer. As seen on EWTN

Saint Gemma Galgani. New fridge magnet and keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T18:02:00.002+01:00

The NEW range includes Saint Padre Pio, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Benedict, Saint Clare, Saint Faustina, a NEW Saint Edmund Campion and MANY MORE.

From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions - a new apostolate dedicated to spreading the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church through film, media, holy reminders and prayer. As seen on EWTN

Saint Thomas Aquinas. New Fridge magnet and keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T17:58:00.002+01:00

http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/MAGNETS_from_MDP.html A NEW selection of fridge magnets and keyrings bringing our beloved Saints and Martyrs closer to your every day life. Available to order from our online shop each item presents the images of a Catholic Saint or Martyr. Place them on your fridge and remember them as you go about daily chores or carry them with you in a keyring. From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions As seen on EWTN

A new apostolate dedicated to spreading the lives of the Saints and Martyrs through film, media, holy reminders and prayer.

Saint Therese of Lisieux. Fridge magnet and keyring only from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T17:55:00.002+01:00

http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/MAGNETS_from_MDP.html A selection of NEW and exciting fridge magnets and keyrings bringing our beloved Saints and Martyrs closer to your every day life. Available to order from our online shop each item presents the images of a Catholic Saint or Martyr. Place them on your fridge and remember them as you go about daily chores or carry them with you in a keyring.

The NEW range includes Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Padre Pio, a NEW Saint Edmund Campion, Saint Faustina, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Benedict and MANY MORE only from Mary's Dowry Productions.

From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company

Mary's Dowry Productions As seen on EWTN

Saint Catherine of Sienna. New fridge magnet and keyring only from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T17:52:00.002+01:00

A NEW range is now available of original magnets and keyrings of popular, well-known and lesser known Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church.

Visit our website to see the full range. From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions As seen on EWTN

Saint Anthony of Padua. New fridge magnet and Keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T17:49:00.002+01:00

Visit our shop for an original selection of well-known and lesser known Saints of the Universal Church. From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company Mary's Dowry Productions As seen on EWTN

Saint Faustina. New fridge magnet and keyring from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-04-05T17:47:00.000+01:00

Saint Padre Pio. New fridge magnet and keyring

2011-04-05T17:45:00.001+01:00

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. Fridge Magnet and Keyring.

2011-04-05T17:41:00.003+01:00

A selection of fridge magnets and keyrings bringing our beloved Saints and Martyrs closer to your every day life. Available to order from our online shop each item presents the images of a Catholic Saint or Martyr. Place them on your fridge and remember them as you go about daily chores or carry them with you in a keyring.

From award winning Independent Catholic Film Production Company

Mary's Dowry Productions

As seen on EWTN

NEW Blessed Francisco DVD

2011-03-29T20:24:00.003+01:00

Currently in production and due for completion and hopefully release in April 2011 is a new documentary focussing upon Blessed Francisco Marto.

A simple yet absorbingly beautiful blend of portrayals, photographs, artwork and narration make this an original and yet powerful, moving and important encounter with this young Blessed of the Universal Church.

What was so special about a simple shepherd boy in Portugal at the beginning of the nineteenth Century? What was it that he saw between the months of May and October of 1917? What is his story and what was his secret? Francisco Marto died when he was just ten years old and yet he left behind something wonderful. Encounter a shepherd boy, a beautiful Lady and an astonishing story that will remain with you forever.

This 30 minute documentary will be presented on DVD at £9.99.

We aim to keep our prices as low as possible for our original productions so as to make them available to as many people and to spread the inspiring and important, moving, relevant and often challenging lives of the family of our great Saints, Blesseds and Martyrs in the Roman Catholic Church.

Blessed Francisco Marto was beatified (the last step before being declared a Saint) by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000.

COMING SOON!

Saint Etheldreda on DVD

2011-03-28T18:38:00.003+01:00

Filmed on locations around Sussex, England, such as Nymans Gardens, Fulking and the coastal shores, this is a fascinating documentary on one of the great Saints of the early British Kingdoms.

Determined, spirited and devout, Saint Etheldreda shines from out of the depths of British history as one of the great women Saints if the Universal Church. A princess, a queen and finally an abbess, her life was caught up in the history and politics of the Early British Kingdoms - with princes, kings, bishops and Saints, palaces and ruins, landscapes and art (and a couple of miracles thrown in for good measure!), this is an encounter with Saint Etheldreda, the inspiring Abbess of Ely, that will remain with you forever!

Priced at £10.99 - runtime 45 minutes

The Martyrs Walk on DVD

2011-03-28T13:37:00.003+01:00

Newly released, THE MARTYRS WALK on DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions.

Take a walk through the streets of historic London as a group of pilgrims trace the last steps of many of the English Martyrs from Tower Hill to Tyburn. Meet several of the Martyrs such as Sir Thomas More, Fr. Henry Morse and Fr. Robert Southwell and learn how they faced their grisley deaths. Seeped in history, with footage filmed on the 2008 Martyrs Walk, a blend of historic facts, images and fascinating details, this is an experience in history that honours the memories of the magnificent, determined and heroic English Martyrs.

OUT NOW on DVD all region formats. Buy online at

£9.99.

Mary's Dowry Productions is an independent film production company based in the South of England. We are an apostolate run by a small group of volunteers to produce films on the Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church as their heroic lives provide a great source of inspiration and example that points always to Christ. Visit our website for more information and encounter many heroic Saints and Martyrs of the Church in film.

"Inspiring, compelling, well made, and perfectly Catholic. This is history as it should be presented and film as it should be seen. More please." - Michael Coren, award winning columnist, author, radio and television host.

Saint Cuthman of Steyning

2011-03-04T21:09:00.002Z

A DVD on Saint Cuthman - as seen on EWTN.

Saint Cuthman is a little known Saint whose life played out in Britain in the 7th Century. Simple, poor, humorous and devotedly Catholic, his life was filled with adventure and miracles. Set in the rolling hills of Sussex and seeped in the history of Britain, Saint Cuthman is a little known treasure of the Catholic Church and his story is a joyful delight of faith and determination.
Saint Cuthman was the main focus of Christopher Fry’s play ‘The boy with a cart’ in 1945.

From award* winning Catholic film production company
Mary’s Dowry Productions encounter the lives of the inspiring and heroic Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church. (*Catholic Women of the Year 2010)

MARY’S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS:
Founded in 2007, Mary’s Dowry Productions is an independent Catholic film production company based in the U.K. Many of our films have been featured on EWTN: the Global Catholic Network. Our founders won the Catholic Women of the Year Award 2010 presented by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Mary’s Dowry Productions has been featured on BBC1 ‘Songs of Praise’ 2011.
“An outstanding tribute to the faith of our fathers of Mary’s Dowry.” Raymond de Souza, EWTN host, Director of St. Gabriel Communications.
“Inspiring, compelling, well made and perfectly Catholic. This is history as it should be presented and film as it should be seen. More please.” Michael Coren, author, TV and Radio host.

Saint Swithun Wells new film

2011-03-04T19:59:00.002Z

Available in all DVD region formats from our online website, by phone or by fax or from Amazon UK (Amazon UK, Ireland and Europe only).

Saint Swithun Wells is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Completely Catholic and radically determined, his life was caught up in the drama and politics of his times. He sheltered hunted Catholic priests, defied the authorities and sacrificed his life for the Catholic Church in England. He stands in history as one our greatest Elizabethan Englishmen and yet his story is little known.

With historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Richard Topcliffe, Queen Elizabeth and fellow Catholic Martyrs, the life of St. Swithun Wells is revealing, gripping and inspiring.

From award* winning Catholic film production company
Mary’s Dowry Productions encounter the lives of the inspiring and heroic Saints and Martyrs of the Universal Church. (*Catholic Women of the Year 2010)

MARY’S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS:
Founded in 2007, Mary’s Dowry Productions is an independent Catholic film production company based in the U.K. Many of our films have been featured on EWTN: the Global Catholic Network. Our founders won the Catholic Women of the Year Award 2010 presented by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Mary’s Dowry Productions has been featured on BBC1 ‘Songs of Praise’ 2011.

“An outstanding tribute to the faith of our fathers of Mary’s Dowry.” Raymond de Souza, EWTN host, Director of St. Gabriel Communications.

“Inspiring, compelling, well made and perfectly Catholic. This is history as it should be presented and film as it should be seen. More please.” Michael Coren, author, TV and Radio host.

Meet the Church Triumphant

2011-02-21T15:16:00.002Z

New promotional trailer for Mary's Dowry Productions showing a selection of our original films on the lives of the Saints. Music is taken from our NEW film production on Saint Margaret Ward. Film clips include productions on Saint Edmund Campion, Saint Margaret Clitherow, Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, Saint Margaret Ward, Blessed Francesco Marto, Saint Polydore Plasden, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and MORE.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Film

2011-02-15T21:26:00.011Z

We have started filming for a new production on the life of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha who is the only Native American declared Blessed by the Church and who lived a heroic life of virtue and penance, dying when she was 24 years old.

Filming for this production will be taking place over the next month or so.

We filmed today with permission at Nymans in Sussex. The redwoods provided a good backdrop and filming took place under umbrellas and in 4 inches of mud. The shots that we managed to acquire are great for giving a thoughtful portrayal of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha; these will be combined with artwork, historical images, music and narration in the final film to give a presentation on her inspiring witness to the Catholic Faith.

Born in 1656, Kateri's mother was a Catholic but her father an Iroquois heathen. Kateri was not baptised and when her family died she went to live with her uncle who was very anti-Catholic. She longed to hear the Jesuit missionaries preach and to be baptised but was too timid to approach them for she feared her uncle. She had a natural modesty, love of purity and a detachment from people. She preferred to be alone and did not braid her hair as the other girls, attend drum feasts or keep company with people her own age. She worked extremely hard. When she was finally baptised her relatives began to persecute her because she would not work with them in the fields on Sunday. Children threw stones at her as she walked to the chapel and she was almost starved. Finally, one of the Jesuit father's helped her to leave the village for the Mission of St. Francis Xavier near montreal. Here she practised severe penance in reparation for sin such as rolling in great sharp thorns, burning herself so as to brand herself as Christ's slave, scourging her shoulders with willow shoots, praying her rosary while barefoot in the snow, fasting, wearing a pointed iron belt and many more. She prayed continously but worked very hard in the village. Her love of Jesus in Holy Communion was so profound that many people sought to be near her when she was at Mass. When she was 24 years old she died after a long illness at 3pm - the hour of Divine Mercy. Her last words were "Iesos! Wari!" After her death, her face which had been scarred by smallpox, miraculously refreshed into an astounding beauty and none could have tired of looking upon her.

Filming for this production continues over the next month weeks.

Screenshots below:

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Bl. Kateri sought solitude as often as she could. Here she is portrayed with her wooden cross at prayer in the woods. She had a deep devotion to the Passion and Death of Christ.

Bl. Kateri's cabin in the Mission of St. Francis Xavier.

Bl. Kateri worked hard collecting wood and water for her longhouse in her home village. She was orphaned young and lived with her uncle in the Mohawk Turtle Clan. After becoming a Catholic she was persecuted by her clan and soon left.

Bl. Kateri carved a Cross in a tree in the forest so that whenever she went in the forest to work she could pause to pray and keep the presence of God always in her heart.

At prayer in solitude and peace by a creek.

Bl. Kateri walking in prayer alongside a creek

COMING SOON!

New film Saint Francis of Assisi from Mary's Dowry Productions

2011-02-09T19:26:00.009Z

Filming has started on a new project that Mary's Dowry Productions will be working on over the next few months - a documentary on 'Saint Francis of Assisi' using our usual style of original portrayals, Sacred art, nature scenes, narration and music.

We were on location at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum on Tuesday (a lovely sunny day thanks to the Infant of Prague!) where we shot a few scenes to start the 'making-of' process. These scenes showed young Francis at the ruined church of San Damiano, the young Francis flinging the gold that he had acquired by selling his father's cloth and horse, and various scenes of St. Francis in his habit.

We have many more good scenes to film before editing can begin on this production which will include Saint Francis setting off for war, receiving the Sacred Stigmata, and many more.

We are looking foward to producing a new DVD resource on this great Catholic Saint whose amazing and radical life is a source of inspiration.

A few screen shots below:

We were pleased with this classic image that we recreated of Saint Francis at prayer.

Saint Francis of Assisi observed 8 x 40 day fasts a year in which he fasted on bread and water. The small amount of bread that he did eat he would sprinkle with ash.

Saint Francis of Assisi by Mary's Dowry Productions - COMING SOON!

NEWS FLASH: Meanwhile, our film on Saint Margaret Ward has now been completed and will be released in the near future.

Mary's Dowry Productions on BBC 1

2011-01-18T17:42:00.006Z

Bernadette Bevans and Emily Jane Bevans from Mary's Dowry Productions were on BBC 1 Songs of Praise this past week speaking about founding their film company to promote the lives of the Saints and Martyrs. Tying into the programme that was from Arundel this week, Bernadette explained how Saint Philip Howard was the inspiration to get Mary's Dowry Productions started after she finished her degree in Music Composition for Professional Media in 2007. Now with over 25 DVDs available on a variety of Saints and Martyrs, Mary's Dowry Productions is pleased to be able to be promoting the inspiring witnesses and examples of our fellow English Catholic men and women on DVD.

The highlight of the interview was to see a small snippet from 'Saint Cuthman of Steyning' which is a great favourite. It was good to hear the girls talk about how they started and how family and friends are involved in all the productions, from research, building sets and props, acting, filming on location, editing, scoring and designing packaging. There has been great feedback from the interview and it seems that Mrs. Bevans was the main star as Saint Cuthman's mother being pushed over the South Downs in a cart.

Above, Saint Cuthman tells his story on the South Downs in Saxon England.

Below, Bernadette Bevans of Mary's Dowry Productions working in the studio on original scores for all of the films.

Thanks to the Songs of Praise team who came to interview the girls - they were really great and we all had a lot of fun.

Mary's Dowry Productions Latest News

2011-01-18T17:14:00.009Z

Emily Jane Bevans and Bernadette Bevans from Mary's Dowry Productionswere pleased to have been able to work as part of an EWTN crew this past week shooting for four different programmes to be broadcast on the Network in the near future. Do be sure to check out these excellent future programmes as well as those currently being aired on the Eternal Word Television Network - free on Sky Channel 589 and online. Filming took place for four days in the beautiful Arundel Castle drawing rooms and private chapel for 'Catholic Lives' interviews, a 'Heart of the Matter' discussion and 'Lenten Reflections'.

We were also out on location at Saint Michael's Abbey, Farnborough all day Saturday braving the cold in the chapel to film further Lenten Reflections, and also on location the day before all day Friday at The Sistine Chapel Reproduction in Goring for a NEW and exciting series called 'Christendom'.

Meanwhile, EWTN has been airing our documentary 'The Priesthood: Alter Christus' which was a collaboration with the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and upcoming in February is our film on 'Saint Wilfrid: The Apostle of Sussex'. Check these and other great Catholic programming at:

www.ewtn.com

Updates and air times coming soon.

English Martyr Saint Polydore Plasden

2010-12-28T19:58:00.002Z

Trailer for a new film on one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Saint Polydore Plasden by Mary's Dowry Productions.

Completed in December 2010, this film will be released in the New Year.

Saint Polydore Plasden was just 28 years old when he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn Gallows in London, 1591. He was a Catholic priest and refused to deny the Catholic Faith, renounce his priesthood or accept Queen Elizabeth I as the head of the Church. Arrested during a secret Mass at the home of fellow Martyr Swithun Wells, Fr. Polydore is a great patron for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist for he defended the Blessed Sacrament and gave his word that he and Fr. Edmund Gennings would go peacefully with the infamous Richard Topcliffe should Mass be permitted to conclude. He ensured that not a fragment of the Eucharist remained to be defiled by the anti-Catholic Elizabethan government and was arrested, tortured, subjected to a sham trial and then was executed by law by order of Queen Elizabeth I.

COMING SOON! Saint Polydore Plasden-one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Article by author Kevin Rowles on Blessed Alexandrina DVD launch

2010-12-06T16:07:00.013Z

Mary’s Dowry Productions - launch of the Blessed Alexandrina DVD
by Kevin Rowles

On Saturday 4th December 2010 – a First Saturday of Our Lady – Mary’s Dowry Productions launched their new DVD on Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa. A review of the DVD has already been published here. The event took place at ‘The Barn’, which is the Parish Hall of the Catholic Church of the English Martyrs at Goring-on-Sea, Worthing, in West Sussex. Bad weather, including rain and snow, was affecting much of the country, but despite this, people still came to support this unique occasion. The hall is next to the Church of the English Martyrs, which is well-known in the United Kingdom for having an awe-inspiring reproduction of the Sistine Chapel on its ceiling, which was painted by permanent Deacon Gary Bevans, who is the father of Bernadette and Emily Jane Bevans, who run Mary’s Dowry Productions.

The Ceiling of the church of the English Martyrs by Deacon Gary Bevans

The Mary's Dowry Productions stall

The Bevans sisters ran the day as a double event. It started at 2pm as a traditional Christmas Fayre, with food and various stalls and features. The Bevans sisters had an impressive stall for the Mary’s Dowry Production DVD’s, CD’s, books and devotional items. The new Blessed Alexandrina DVD was on sale and was a source of great interest.

Bernadette and Emily Jane Bevans with copies of their Blessed Alexandrina DVD

Some of the stallholders dressed in period costume, reflecting the main thrust of Mary’s Dowry Productions’ work, which is the promotion of our historical Saints and Martyrs, and there was even a costume re-enactment, by friends of the Bevans’ family, of the arrest of the martyred Jesuit priest St Edmund Campion!

The Bevans sisters kindly invited myself and Richard Sheridan to represent the Alexandrina Society, and we had a stall where my booklet on Blessed Alexandrina ‘A Living Miracle of the Eucharist’, was on sale.

Kevin at the Blessed Alexandrina stall with the 1st-class relic.

We also gave away leaflets and information on Blessed Alexandrina and the Alexandrina Society, and literature and devotional items that were kindly donated by the Universal Living Rosary Association. We brought along the first-class relic of Blessed Alexandrina, and people were pleased to see the relic and venerate it. Also, José Ferreira of Portugal kindly donated some Blessed Alexandrina relic cards from Balasar, which were given out, and these were very popular.

Some members of the Heralds of the Gospel, an International Association of Pontifical Right, which was approved by the Holy See in 2001, came to see the Blessed Alexandrina DVD in the evening. Their apostolate ties in very closely with that of Blessed Alexandrina – intensely Eucharistic and Marian. It was great to see them there, supporting this event.

The Mary's Dowry Productions stall

Some of the audience watching the showing of the DVDS

Agnes Lee, who played Blessed Alexandrina in the film was among those in the audience. The Blessed Alexandrina DVD was very well received. One woman religious who was present described it as ‘moving and important’ and bought a copy of the DVD to show others.

Another couple came along, and it transpires they had been at Alexandrina’s beatification in Rome in 2004. They said:- “We had not gone to Rome for the Beatification. In fact we did not know until the day before that there would be a Beatification on the Sunday - it was just an added bonus to our visit. There were six Beatifications on the day and I am sorry to say we were not familiar with any of the individuals. I can remember on our return home reading in the Catholic papers the following week about the beatifications in Rome and this was the first time we learnt anything about the people concerned. We always felt very privileged to have attended a beatification and although we kept the book as a memento we had forgotten the names of the individuals involved. It wasn't until the end of the film last night, when the narration confirmed the date of the beatification, that we made the connection that we must have been present at Alexandrina's Beatification”. It seems Blessed Alexandrina didn’t want them to forget her!

Others were commenting that the DVD was very moving and the best Mary’s Dowry Production film to date.

Sincere congratulations and thanks to the Bevans family and their helpers for giving us all a memorable and very enjoyable day. Blessed Alexandrina, pray for us all!

For further information:-

Mary’s Dowry Productions website:- http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Buy the Blessed Alexandrina DVD here:- http://www.ekmpowershop11.com/ekmps/shops/marysdowryp/blessed-alexandrina-maria-da-costa-dvd-153-p.asp

Heralds of the Gospel in England & Wales blog here:- http://heraldsgospelsinengland.blogspot.com/

Blessed Alexandrina – ‘A Living Miracle of the Eucharist’ booklet by Kevin Rowles, available here:- http://www.newhope-ky.org/inspiringlives.htm#alexandrina For details of where to purchase in Ireland and the UK, please e-mail alexandrina2@btinternet.com

Saint Swithun Wells - English Martyr - Film of his life

2010-11-29T20:14:00.002Z

Saint Swithun Wells is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Mary's Dowry Productions is pleased to have finished a new film production on his life and death which are a shining and inspiring example for the Catholic Faith and defence of Doctrine and Truth in England. Saint Swithun Wells was hanged outside his own house in 1591 for sheltering hunted Catholic priests and allowing the outlawed Catholic Mass to be celebrated in his home.

The above trailer is for the soon to be released film on Saint Swithun Wells.

The film is finished but will be released in the New Year 2011 as we are currently waiting to release 'Saint Winifred and her Well' and 'The Shining Pearl of York'.

Mary’s Dowry Productions is an award winning* Independent Catholic Film Production Company based in Arundel and Brighton. Established in 2007 to produce original films, documentaries and biographies especially on the lives of the Saints and Martyrs, we are a team of young and old Catholics who give our time and money working for the ‘New Evangelization’ (Pope John Paul II) using the new media. Your support of our apostolate is greatly appreciated. All sales of DVDS goes towards our apostolate.

With a growing range of DVDS available, many of our films have been broadcast globally on EWTN, Catholic TV, Gospa TV, Catholic Media House Hollywood, BBC and more.

*Catholic women of the year 2010/2011 presented by Archbishop Vincent Nichols

BBC Interview with Mary's Dowry Productions

2010-11-23T13:22:00.007Z

Great news for Mary's Dowry Productions - the BBC Songs of Praise team contacted us a few months back to arrange an interview on our work producing films on the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of England and they arrived on Monday morning, 22nd November for a great morning of taping.

This is due to be broadcast on BBC1 in January 2011.

A good oportunity for us to spread the films available from Mary's Dowry Productions further afield to a more secular audience, as well as spreading the Catholic Faith, Heritage and Saints of England to more people.

As it stands, our segment will be aired on 16th January and ties in with their filming at Arundel Cathedral.

Arrival of the film crew (above)

Destruction of the dining room.

All set up for the interview

In the studio

Bernadette and Emily Jane with Sally Magnusson who conducted the interview.

Saxon Saints for Kids on DVD

2010-11-16T17:10:00.001Z

OUT NOW a new DVD for children:

The Primary Series: Volume Two

7 saxon saints for children with footage, music, narration, art, animals, nature and the truths of the Catholic Faith.

Above is a montage of these mini biographies.

Elizabethan Martyr - 24 year old St. Edmund Gennings

2010-11-09T20:34:00.003Z

St. Edmund Gennings is one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales.

We are currently producing a new DVD film on this young Elizabethan priest's heroic life and death. His great witness at a young age shines brightly from the depths of history. What a powerful patron for the youth - a true Englishman and a heroic Catholic.

Raised in the established Church in the 1570s, Edmund Gennings converted to the outlawed Catholic Faith when he was 16, after serving as a page in the house of the Sherwood family. The Sherwoods were renowned London drapers and staunch recusant Catholics and through his observance of them and his long conversations with Mr. Sherwood, Edmund's rational mind could not resist the call to Truth and he was reconciled to the Catholic Church.

He then travelled secretly to France to train as a priest. He deeply longed to return to his country to take the outlawed Sacraments to the persecuted Elizabethan people and finally entered as a Catholic priest with 28 year old Fr. Polydore Plasden in 1590. He travelled about in disguise and risked his life at every moment for it was illegal to be a Catholic priest in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

After several months he met up with Fr. Polydore Plasden and travelled to the home of Saint Swithun Wells. Swithun Wells was an Elizabethan gentleman who was friends with the 3rd Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothsley. The Earl was one of the most fashionable young men in England and a bold Catholic. He was also patron to Shakespeare, the latter of whom dedicated his first two narrative poems to the Earl.

Fr. Edmund Gennings was arrested with Fr. Polydore Plasden while celebrating a secret Mass in the home of Saint Swithun Wells. Tortured, beaten, starved and ridiculed, he was so calm and his answers so logical and disarming that he infuriated the council at his sham trial. He was placed in a solitary cell where he could neither sit or stand for fear of breaking his neck.

On the morning of 10th December 1591, Fr. Edmund Gennings was dragged with Swithun Wells to a specially erected gallows outside Swithun's house. This was an added insult to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which the Elizabethan government despised, for it had been there that Mass had been celebrated by the condemned.

Under Statute 27 Elizabeth, Fr. Edmund Gennings was hanged, drawn and quartered by law for his Catholic priesthood. He refused to deny his faith or accept the many high positions offered to him if he conformed. His last words so infuriated Topcliffe (that infamous priest catcher and torturer who was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's) that he was swiftly hanged and cut down fully conscious. The hangman began his butchery while Fr. Edmund was pinned down. His heart was torn from his chest and he looked upon it and cried "Saint Gregory, pray for me!", perhaps invoking the great Pope Saint Gregory who had sent Saint Augustine to England with the Catholic Faith a thousand years before Fr. Edmund was to die for those same Truths and beliefs.

Saint Edmund Gennings was 24 years old and died a Martyr for Christ and His Church.

This DVD will be available in the new year from http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Saint Edmund Gennings pray for us!

NEW St. Edmund Campion DVD

2010-11-07T22:27:00.003Z

NEWLY released DVD resource on the life of Saint Edmund Campion one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. This DVD is especially great for use in schools - it runs for 28 minutes and uses our original portrayals, sacred art, narration and historical imagery.

This DVD is a faster paced encounter with Saint Edmund Campion and is available now from our online shop - it uses the original narration but has different elements and a blend of the best original portrayals, and now includes sacred art and historical imagery.

£9.99

Spread the great witness of this English Martyr using DVD

Saint Winifred's Feast Day

2010-11-03T13:04:00.002Z

Today (3rd November) is the feast day of Saint Winifred - a lovely and inspiring Welsh Saint from the 7th Century. Mary's Dowry Productions has finished a half an hour film on Saint Winifred and the trailer can be viewed above. This will be launched and released in January and we are looking forwards to providing a great resource for an encounter with such an excellent Saint.

Meanwhile, enjoy the trailer and check back for future release details!

Saint Nicholas Owen

2010-10-25T21:56:00.001+01:00

The English Martyrs

2010-10-25T21:53:00.002+01:00

Feast of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales!

OUT NOW Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa DVD

2010-10-23T22:55:00.003+01:00

Launched on the internet today - the first English Language DVD documentary on Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, available now to pre-order. Orders placed today will be posted out after 1st November 2010.

The DVD is priced at £9.99 and runs for 56 minutes - keeping costs low to help spread knowledge of and devotion to this great Blessed of the Catholic Church.

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa was born in Portugal in 1904. When she was just 14 years old she 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 20.

She did not despair however, and amidst unspeakable pain she entered upon an astounding vocation to "Love, Suffer and make Reparation" (Jesus to Bl. Alexandrina) and embraced a specific calling by Christ as a 'Victim Soul'.

In this documentary, the life of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa presents an astonishing and undeniable explosion of the supernatural, faith and virtue which is so relevant for today.

Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004, she has been propsed by the Church as "a model of purity and perseverance in the Faith for today's youth", and is set to become an important and well loved Saint in the Universal Church.

(from the back cover)

The DVD is available from:

NEW POSTER for Mary's Dowry Productions

2010-10-23T22:42:00.003+01:00

Help spread the word about the great growing original resources available from

Mary's Dowry Productions

with a fantastic new poster for parishes and schools, staff rooms, RCIA meeting halls etc...

This colourful A4 poster is available on request, just send us an email with a postal address via our website and we will post one out to you to place up in your church or school or anywhere you think people will be interested in these films.

Help advertise the important resources that need to be put out there to spread the amazing and inspiring lives of the Saints and Martyrs of England and Wales on DVD.

Send us an email via:

The Shining Pearl of York - New DVD

2010-10-22T15:57:00.002+01:00

As with Saint Edmund Campion (see post below), we have had requests for a half an hour long production on Saint Margaret Clitherow that would work for use in classrooms. We have reworked our hour long production 'Saint Maragret Clitherow' (due to be broadcast on EWTN any time!) and have a new DVD that will be available soon:

'The Shining Pearl of York'

With new scenes added, a new music score and a faster pace, sacred art, new narration and a shorter length, this has proved to be an even more powerful encounter with Saint Maragret Clitherow and gets another resource 'out there' promoting her amazing life and witness for the Catholic Faith in England.

The Shining Pearl of York will be released in the near future one we have funds.

Do check out our website soon for new releases!

God's Champion - Saint Edmund Campion

2010-10-22T15:49:00.006+01:00

Due to requests the Mary's Dowry Productions team has been working on a new

28 minute DVD

on the life of Saint Edmund Campion especially for use in schools. This has turned out really well and has a blend of sacred art, historcial imagery and drama. It proves to be an original, moving and inspiring encounter with Saint Edmund Campion and will be released soon.

There is a new powerful soundtrack and the run time makes it suitable for use in classrooms as requested by several teachers. Production is finished and we are awaiting funds to be able to release this new resource as soon as possible. Do check back!

COMING 2011 'Gifts of the Spirit: Volume 2' DVD

2010-10-22T15:38:00.003+01:00

The Mary's Dowry Productions team have been busy editing several films due for release over the remaining months of 2010 and early 2011.

The team has also been planning future productions on Martyrs, Saints, Catechetical Resources and Collaborations. These include:

Saint Simon Stock

Saint Robert Southwell

Saint Bede

Saint Hilda

Saints of the Passion: Volume One

Well Known Saints: Volume Five

Saint Richard Gwyn

Saint Eustace White

The Primary Series: Volume Four

Saint Alexander Briant

Saint John Fisher

and many more!

Also coming soon are some great gift sets - check back soon to see the range which are perfect for Christmas.

Remember - all of these resources are part of an apostolate to help spread devotion to the great Saints of England and Wales. Do support us!

Due to be produced in 2011 is the second volume of our 'Gifts of the Holy Spirit' DVD.

Five original mini movies are each portrayed with sacred art, text, narration and original music to present the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church:

The Virtues

The Corporal Works of Mercy

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

The Four Last Things

The Seven Deadly Sins

Meanwhile, check out Volume One available from

Winners 2010 Catholic Women of the Year....

2010-10-09T20:54:00.005+01:00

...for the founders of Mary's Dowry Productions!

Congratulations to Emily Jane and Bernadette Bevans who founded Mary's Dowry Productions in 2007 and who won Catholic Women of the Year 2010.

At a special luncheon at the Thistle Hotel near Marble Arch, London on Friday 8th October, they were presented with certificates by Archbishop Vincent Nichols for making original films on the lives of the English Martyrs and Saxon Saints of England through their Independent Catholic Film Production Company 'Mary's Dowry Productions'.

The Catholic Women of the Year Luncheon began in 1969 'to pay tribute to Catholic women who give outstanding service to the Church'. This year's theme was REFLECTIONS ON THE VISIT OF POPE BENEDICT and a beautiful presentation was given by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. Every nomination is carefully scrutinised by the committee and a secret ballot is taken. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI sent his special Apostolic Blessing and good wishes to the winners and all those gathered.

The films produced by Mary's Dowry Productions are important resources especially for the youth, focussing on the great lives and witnesses of English men and women who gave their lives in great acts of courage, heroism and virtue for the Catholic Faith and values in England. Many of our Martyrs were in their twenties and are outstanding examples to their fellow Englishmen and women today.

Mary's Dowry Productions is a family run apostolate for evangelisation through the lives of the Saints and Martys of England and Wales. We are funded through donations, and sales of DVDs - each sale of a DVD helps us to finance more of these resources! Our films can be ordered from our online shop at:

We currently have three films awaiting funding for release so do help spread the word about the lives of the English Saints and Martyrs that are available on DVD by Mary's Dowry Productions.

Thank you to those who nominated Emily Jane and Bernadette Bevans for the award and for all involved in the Catholic Women of the Year 2010 Luncheon!

Saint Polydore Plasden Film

2010-10-05T16:10:00.014+01:00

Saint Polydore Plasden receives the noose at Tyburn Gallows, England 1591

Editing is about to begin on a new production presenting the life and death of Saint Polydore Plasden, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. With narration complete and filming of original portrayals showing key moments of his life and mission, we are looking forward to presenting this original film resource of a great Catholic priest martyred aged 28 at Tyburn Gallows in London.

With important figures in the history of England as key players in his story, this will be an absorbing and intresting film on one of our amazing English Martyrs.
COMING SOON!

Saint Polydore Plasden with Saint Edmund Gennings at the Secret Mass in London just before his arrest.

The young Saint Polydore Plasden and his father.

Saint Polydore Plasden on the English Mission, in disguise at the home of Saint Swithun Wells.

Saint Polydore Plasden at Tyburn with the infamous Richard Topcliffe.

Blessed Francisco Film Trailer

2010-10-03T16:01:00.003+01:00

Trailer for our upcoming film on the life of this young and heroic Fatima seer - coming soon from

Mary's Dowry Procutions

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa

2010-10-03T15:38:00.018+01:00

We are starting editing of a new documentary on Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa this upcoming week. She is known to many in Portugal as 'The Fourth Seer of Fatima'. Her life and message is extremely powerful and important for she offered herself as a Victim Soul to console Christ, bring about the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to save sinners. Here are a selection of stills from the film which we hope to have finished soon.

Each Friday Blessed Alexandrina suffered the Passion of Christ. There is original film footage of this available to view and many witnesses documented and watched this phenomenon from a woman who was paralysed for 30 years and who would regain use of her body for three hours every friday for some 180 occasions. We recreated many important moments of Blessed Alexandrina's life for our documentary on her.

Blessed Alexandrina and her sister Deolinda.

Three men broke into the da Costa home to attempt to molest Alexandrina, Deolinda and their friend Rosalina. So as to protect her purity Blessed Alexandrina chose to jump out of the window, which led to her eventual paralysis. She is a Martyr for Purity.

Blessed Alexandrina is shown after her fall from the window, which led to gradual paralysis whereupon Blessed Alexandrina was bedridden for 30 years.

Blessed Alexandrina heroically returned to the room armed with a piece of wood to fight off the men from her sister and friend. The men were startled at her counter-attack and hastily left.

Doctors confirm their worst fears that the damage to Blessed Alexandrina's spine will lead to paralysis and ever increasing agony and pain.

Fr. Pinho offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Blessed Alexandrina's room, soon to be a place of pilgrimage for many thousands of people.

Blessed Alexandrina had a deep devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady and lived the Fatima message in its entirety.

The first ecstasy and vision Our Lord to Blessed Alexandrina.

Blessed Alexandrina lived a life of heroic suffering and prayer for souls.

Satan's manifestations were documented and witnessed by many over many many years. On one occasion her bed was seen enveloped in billowing smoke from which issued an insufferable stench. Satan hated her because her prayers and sufferings were so powerful and lost him many thousands of souls.

Blessed Alexandrina kept a picture of Blessed Jacinta Marto of Fatima next to her bed and pointed her visitors to the picture, urging them to imitate Jacinta's example.

The parish priest annoints Blessed Alexandrina who was near to death so many times.

Blessed Alexandrina in death.

For more information visit

and click on our 'UPCOMING' page for a detailed sketch of Blessed Alexaandrina's life.

Also see our Youtube Channel 'Marysdowry' for a trailer on this upcoming film.

Saint Wilfrid DVD

2010-09-28T15:26:00.002+01:00

Here is a good resource on the life of Saint Wilfrid available on DVD from:

Saint Wilfrid's feast day is celebrated October 12th and this half an hour film gives a great and enjoyable encounter with an interesting and likeable Bishop from Saxon England.

Perfect for use in schools and classes or at home, Saint Wilfrid is definatley worth getting to know.

A half and hour journey includes Kings, pagans, castles, Saxon halls, princesses, pilgrimages to Rome, relics, the Sacraments, miracles and beautiful scenery, art and historical images and facts.

Saint Wilfrid tells you his own astonishing life.

Buy now on DVD and help fund other films currently awaiting release.

Mary's Dowry Productions

Spirit of GENTLENESS CD

2010-09-28T15:22:00.002+01:00

A new music CD available from:

In this CD, 10 original reflective tracks of music focus on the theme of GENTLENESS.

Written to soften the heart and mind for prayer and reflection, these unique and absorbing original CDS are part of a growing range centred on the Holy Spirit.

Spirit of JOY CD

2010-09-28T15:19:00.002+01:00

A growing range of music CDS are available now from

In this CD are 10 original tracks of reflective music written with a theme of joy. Various titles aimed to inspire the mind to contemplate the Holy Spirit and to lift the heart for peace and prayer.

St. Winifred and her Well film trailer

2010-09-25T13:35:00.003+01:00

From Mary's Dowry Productions comes a new film on Welsh Saint Winifred whose inspiring and exciting life is coming soon to DVD. Set in 7th Century Wales, her story involves great Faith, virtue and miracles and is an absorbing and enjoyable encounter with one of Britain's most famous Catholic Saints. The film will be released in the very near future and will be available from:

Princes, valleys, abbots, maidens, virtue, purity, beautiful scenery, courage, drama and love of God make Saint Winifred's story one of great inspiration for Catholics today.

The Fourth Seer of Fatima - Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa

2010-09-23T11:32:00.003+01:00

This is a trailer for an upcoming production on Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa. The trailer is slightly longer than our usual videos but hopes to give more of an overview of the story of this Blessed.

Blessed Alexandrina is probably one of the most important figures of our time. Whereas the Fatima message is widely known and the three seers of Fatima venerated and promoted, Blessed Alexandrina is hardly even heard of in a lot of cases yet is known in Portugal as the Fourth Seer of Fatima. Her life and message is so vastly important, the weight of just how important she is has not yet been realized. Paralized at the age of 14 by jumping out of her window to escape intruders and protect her purity, Alexandrina gradually became bedridden.

At first the thought of being confined to bed was difficult to cope with and Alexandrina would ask friends to visit to play cards and help her through the day. Gradually Alexandrina began to understand that Jesus is a prisoner too in the Blessed Sacrament. She would face the Tabernacle as she lay paralized and in excruciating pain day after day in her little room. She then began to understand also the value of suffering united to Christ. Offering herself as a victim soul for sinners Alexandrina embarked upon a life of almost unbelievable pain 24 hours a day. With no comfortable position, Alexandrina would lay paralized an in agony always. Her prayers and sufferings were so powerful.

As Alexandrina was unable to move or be moved it is fascinating that after some time she began to experience the Passion of Our Lord. Our Lord told her that in order to bring out the Consecration of the World to the Immaculate Heart of Mary she would suffer every Friday. Leading up to the first time, Alexandrina was terrified as to what would happen. She entered into ecstacy and this paralized young woman, unable to move, would get out of her bed and moment by moment re-live the Passion of Our Lord all the way to Crucifixion and Death where she would suffer and die. This happened every friday 180 times until the consecration took place.

Alexandrina kept a photograph of Blessed Jacinta Marto one of the three Fatima Seers next to her bed. Sister Lucia of Fatima wrote to Fr Pasquale, saying “ May the Lord grant that Alexandrina's cause of beatification advance as quickly as possible, for the glory of God. It is necessary that such a materialistic world sees that there are still souls capable of being raised into the realms of the supernatural."

Alexandrina urged people always to live the Fatima Message, to pray the Rosary and offer Sacrifices for sinners. “Make reparation to Our Lord in the Adorable Eucharist! Penitence! Penitence! Penitence! Pray the Rosary devoutly every day. Practise the First Saturday devotion. Consecrate yourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.”

Alexandrina pleaded with people to practise the First Saturday devotion and to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the Brown Scapular for very good reason, as Our Lady Herself has promised to assist with the eternal salvation of those who practise these devotions. Our Lady revealed the First Five Saturday devotion on December 10 th 1925 to Sister Lucia of Fatima, saying:-

“ . . . I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

On the morning of the 13 th October, the 38 th anniversary of Our Lady's last appearance at Fatima and the day on which the miracle of the sun took place, Alexandrina received a vision of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who said to her “I am about to take you”. She received Holy Communion for the last time at 8am, and afterwards delivered her final poignant message to those present in her room, and to all humanity, crying out:- “Do not sin. The pleasures of this life are worth nothing. Receive Communion. Pray the Rosary every day. This sums up everything.” Alexandrina suffered extreme pain throughout the whole day, which she bore with great fortitude to the very end. At 8pm, she kissed the crucifix for the last time, and died at 8.29pm.

Alexandrina also lived a total fast on the Eucharist alone for 13 years and is an important figure bringing makind back to an understanding, devotion and love of the Blessed Sacrament.

A booklet which is well worth getting gives a more thorough account of Blessed Alexandrina's life with photographs and further information "Blessed Alexandrina: A Living Miracle of the Eucharist" by Kevin Rowles and is available at this link in the U.S.

In the U.K. the books is carried by Carmel Books in England.
email: enquiries@carmel-books.co.uk Tel: 01392 824255.

Nicholas Owen - English Martyr

2010-09-21T12:42:00.005+01:00

Available now on DVD is a powerful and absorbing film on the life and death of one of our 40 Martrys of England and Wales, Saint Nicholas Owen. This lay Jesuit brother is famous for his amazing skill at constructing priest holes, secret passageways, rooms and hiding places for many hundreds of Catholic priests. His deep Faith and humble character, skill and dedication presents him as one of our great Catholic heroes. His mission and bravery saw his incredible journey take place deep in the history of England where his story is linked to great historical figures such as Queen Elizabeth I, King James I of England, Sir William Cecil, Guy Fawkes, the Jesuits missionaries and the Catholic Martyrs.

Arrested and tortured mercilessly due to the great wealth of his knowledge of the Catholic network of England, he refused to speak a word and suffered a horrendous death in the Tower of London for his Catholic Faith. With original portrayals, Sacred art, historical imagery and a beautiful music score Saint Nicholas Owen: The Priest Hole Maker is available now from:

Mary's Dowry Productions

Encounter the Catholic Martyrs of England and Wales at Mary's Dowry Productions.

Margaret Clitherow - English Martyr

2010-09-21T12:34:00.005+01:00

Available now from Amazon online or www.marysdowryproductions.org is our original film telling the life and death of Saint Margaret Clitherow - one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. She was a wife and mother in Elizabethan York and was crushed to death for sheltering Catholic priests. Her facinating and important story includes many historical figures and great examples of courage and faith. This hour long presentation gives a detailed and absorbing encounter with a great Elizabethan woman in the history of England.

Available now.

Swithun Wells - English Martyr

2010-09-21T12:21:00.003+01:00

Currently in production is a new film telling the life of another of our great 40 Martyrs of England and Wales - Saint Swithun Wells. Standing as a great inspiration for lay Catholic men, Saint Swithun Wells was an Elizabethan gentleman who converted to the Catholic Faith and dedicated his life to bravely providing a safe house for hunted Catholic priests. Witty, good humoured, humble and brave, Saint Swithun Wells has a great and fascinating story that includes fascinating figures from England's history including Henry Wriothesley the Earl of Southampton and Shakespeare's patron, Queen Elizabeth I, the notorious Richard Topcliffe and the English Martyrs. Hanged for his Catholic Faith after dramatic events in 1591, his story blends original portrayals and historic imagery to provide a good resource of his life, Faith and history. Coming soon from Mary's Dowry Productions

Edmund Gennings - English Martyr

2010-09-21T12:12:00.003+01:00

Bringing to life the story of one of our 40 Martyrs of England and Wales, is a new film currently in production on Saint Edmund Gennings. A young Catholic priest, he was captured while saying Mass with fellow Martyr Fr. Polydore Plasden in a secret house in Elizabethan England. Brutally tortured and imprisoned he refused to deny his faith and was sentenced to death for his Catholic priesthood by the Elizabethan government. Executed outside the house of Saint Swithun Wells at the age of 24, this young English Catholic priest stands as a great example of fidelity, purity and determination - his story is intriguing and heroic and reaches back into the fascinating and often tragic history of England. He set out for death with his companions and while Saints Eustace White and Polydore Plasden were dragged to Tyburn, he and Saint Swithun Wells were dragged to Gray's Inn Lane where a special gallows had been erected. Here saint edmund Gennings bravely faced the death of being hanged, drawn and quartered.

With original and moving portrayals, historical images and sacred art, the story of Saint Edmund Gennings is coming soon from Mary's Dowry Productions:

Margaret Ward - hanged at Tyburn, London

2010-09-21T12:05:00.004+01:00

Currently in production is a new film telling the life and martyrdom of one of our 40 Martyrs of England and Wales - Saint Margaret Ward. A great advocate for the single vocation, this young woman from the County of Cheshire devoted her time and energies to serving the Catholic faithful in Elizabethan England and growing in love and attention upon God and her Catholic Faith. She was arrested after having planned an elaborate escape for a Catholic priest held in the infamous Bridewell Prison, London. Brave and gentle to the end she calmly stood at the gallows of Tyburn and was hanged for her Catholic Faith. This new film tells the interesting and moving journey of an Elizabethan woman who was prepared to die for her Catholic beliefs in England.

Coming soon to:

www.marysdowryproductions

Saint Polydore Plasden - Tyburn Martyr

2010-09-21T11:58:00.004+01:00

Currently in production is our new film resource telling the heroic life and martyrdom of Saint Polydore Plasden, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. With dramatic and moving portrayals blended carefully with sacred art, this film reaches deep into the history of England and comes into contact with great historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth I and the Catholic English Martyrs. Saint Polydore Plasden was only 27 years old when he stepped up to the gallows of Tyburn in London and boldly gave his life for the Catholic Faith and Catholic Priesthood. A champion and defender of the Eucharist, his witness gives great insight and inspiration to Catholics of today. Currently being edited this film will be released soon at:

Saint Anne Line - Tyburn Martyr

2010-09-18T22:06:00.003+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI in his homily to the young people at Hyde Park called to mind the witness of the martyrs of Tyburn so close to where the vigil took place. These men and women who died for their Catholic Faith in England have such powerful stories which are even more relevant today and today's youth.

Saint Anne Line

William Shakespeare penned his poem 'The Phoenix and the Turtle' after the death of Saint Anne Line, which is believed to commemorate Saint Anne Line and her husband Roger Line. Indeed, her story is tragic, moving and dramatic, set in Elizabethan England and leading up to a tense turn of events that saw Anne Line destined to become one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales and a famous historical woman. In this new film from Mary's Dowry Productions, Saint Anne Line tells her own story over footage that portrays key events of her life and death, with Sacred Art and historical imagery. Encounter the Faith of a young English Elizabethan woman whose great courage and witness became a powerful part of the history of England. Runtime: 28 minutes. Available on DVD Worldwide from http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Blessed Jacinta Marto Exclusive Magnets

2010-09-07T21:03:00.001+01:00

An original handmade fridge magnet of one of the three seers of Fatima. This photograph of Bl. Jacinta is a holy reminder of her and her prayer and sacrifice for sinners in her own daily life.
Also available in Jumbo size. http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Blessed Francisco Marto Exclusive Magnets

2010-09-07T21:01:00.001+01:00

An original handmade fridge magnet of one of the three seers of Fatima. This photograph of Bl. Francisco is a holy reminder of him and his prayer and sacrifice for sinners in his own daily life.
Also available in Jumbo size. http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

More Cardinal Newman Fridge Magnets

2010-09-07T20:56:00.002+01:00

Two more Bl. John Henry Newman fridge magnets in the new range from Mary's Dowry Productions. Available in both Standard and Jumbo Sizes from www.marysdowryproductions.org

Thes magnets are handmade and exclusively available from Mary's Dowry Productions' growing range of original fridge magnets priced at £2.00 or £3.00 each.

Blessed John Henry Newman magnets

2010-09-01T21:33:00.002+01:00

Beatified by Pope Benedict XVI this September 2010, we have made available three new fridge magnets with thoughtful and reverent images of this great English Cardinal who had a deep love of the English Martyrs.
These holy reminders are part of a series of images in high quality magnets aiming to bring the imagery of our Catholic heroes into our every day lives. All magnets are available in both Standard (6cm x 4cm) and Jumbo (6cm x 9cm) sizes. For more information visit this link.

The English Martyrs and Cardinal Newman

2010-08-25T19:51:00.005+01:00

Cardinal John Henry Newman saw how important the Martyrs of England are - this video includes a quote from Cardinal Newman on the English Martyrs with a montage of clips from current and upcoming film resources on the English Martyrs by Mary's Dowry Productions.

At Mary's Dowry Productions our apostolate is centred completely upon portraying the lives of the English Martyrs, the Saxon Saints and others, in media using the words and writings of the Saints to give as close an encounter with them as possible.

Their witnesses are always powerful and challenging.

Saint Winifred and her Well

2010-08-21T19:20:00.013+01:00

At Mary's Dowry Productions we love making films on the early Catholic Saints of Britain and last week we filmed scenes for an upcoming production on Saint Winifred. She is a lovely Saint with a great story, inspiring and relevant for today. Saint Winifred decided that she wished to live in prayer and solitude away from the world and devote her heart and mind completely to Christ.

Her uncle the holy abbot Saint Beuno instructed her towards taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Meanwhile, she remained in the home of her father, the Lord Teuyth, and was pestered a lot by young men seeking her hand in marriage.

One morning, while Saint Winifred was at home, a young man came to the house having been hunting wild beasts and needing refreshment. His name was Prince Caradoc, and when he saw Saint Winifred he was captivated by her virtue and beauty.

The Prince attempted to seduce Saint Winifred but she made a cunning escape and when he realised, the Prince was livid with rage.

Prince Caradoc took up his sword and gave chase. Saint Winifred fled toward Saint Beuno's church but as she reached the threshold, with a mighty swing of his sword the Prince cut off her head!

The holy Saint Beuno, seeing Saint Winifred lying dead, called down Heaven's chastisement upon Prince Caradoc who indeed was struck down for his crime. God then performed a great miracle for he restored Saint Winifred to life once more and she was able to live another fifteen years, bearing a white scar around her neck as proof of God's mercy and power. Where her head had fallen, a great healing spring gushed forth which is today known as the Lourdes of Wales. It is called Holywell and is in Flintshire. Many documented cures and miracles occured over the centuries due to the healing power of the waters. The water remaines the same temperature during all seasons and the stones at the bottom of the well glisten red as blood.

Saint Winifred took the habit of a nun and lived a life of great Catholic spirituality and virtue until her holy death.

Her body remained incorrupt for centuries until King Henry VIII and Cromwell destroyed her and her shrine in their systematic destruction of the many proofs of Miracles, Shrines, Saints, relics, statues and churches throughout the country in their desire to eradicate the Catholic Faith and Heritage from England.

The shrine at Holywell however always remained in Catholic hands and many reformation Martyrs made secret pilgrimages there during the persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I and following monarchs.

We will be filming more footage for our production on 'Saint Winifred and her Well' later this month which when completed will provide both an historical and spiritual encounter with this great Catholic English Saint.

Blessed Francisco Marto - Filming day for Bl. Francisco Marto film

2010-08-19T17:37:00.009+01:00

Moving away a little from our film productions on the lives of England's Saints and Martyrs, we had a good filming day on Saturday that incorporated footage for a film we are putting together on Blessed Francisco Marto, one of the Fatima seers. We were very moved by his example of prayer and sacrifices as related escpecially by Sr. Lucia in her memoirs and decided that focussing specifically on him in a film presentation would be beneficial. Our young actor portrayed Blessed Francisco wonderfully. He worked hard for three hours (with breaks for snacks!) and we filmed in the winter chapel of our church, courtyards, and two sets for the prison scene and Blessed Franciso's death. Once our narrator has the script we will begin editing - this will be a good resource as the Fatima children are great examples for us on how God expects us to live the Fatima message. Below are some more screen shots from the external footage filmed that day.

We also had a great time filming for Saint Winefrid and Her Well in the afternoon - screen shots for that production coming soon! We are currently working on six films so busy months ahead...

(Don't forget to check out EWTN for broadcasts of our films)

Saint Edmund Campion Mary's Dowry Productions

2010-08-08T13:17:00.010+01:00

Based heavily on Saint Edmund Campion's Brag and Ten Reasons, this is a challenging encounter with a great Catholic Martyr. Saint Edmund Campion was outspoken, dedicated and heroic. In 2008 we filmed orginal portayals of various aspects of his life and put together our original presentation which runs for one hour.

The only film on Saint Edmund Campion, it's a good resource on his journey with his own thoughts and words.

We are currently working on a shorter film production of Saint Edmund Campion's life and witness called 'God's Champion' (watch this space!) that runs for 28 minutes which incorporates Sacred Art and historical imagery for use in schools and groups. But if you would like a more reflective encounter with Saint Edmund Campion then do buy a copy from our online shop and support our apostolate - sales mean we can produce more resources for people who have never encountered our great English Martyrs.

Production stills:

Saint Edmund Campion by Mary's Dowry Productions is being broadcast this month on EWTN Global Catholic Network. Check out this channel on SKY 589 or http://www.ewtn.com/ which has live TV via internet.

Blessed John Mason

2010-08-07T18:40:00.005+01:00

Blessed John Mason makes his appearance in some upcoming films from Mary's Dowry Productions. He will be portrayed in:

Saint Swithun Wells
Saint Polydore Plasden
Saint Edmund Gennings
Blessed John Mason was a servant of Saint Swithun Wells. He fought Richard Topcliffe and the two fell down the stairs when Topcliffe was trying to get into the Secret Mass that was being celebrated by Fr. Edmund Gennings and Fr. Polydore Plasden. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn gallows with Saint Polydore Plasden.
We will be editing Saint Polydore Plasden over the next month and Blessed John Mason was given an excellent portrayal by one of our actors.

Above you can see him about to be hanged for his Catholic Faith in 1591.

This Bishop who got in trouble because of the Pope and England....

2010-08-05T21:31:00.005+01:00

So he was this Bishop who lived about 13 hundred years ago in England. What relevance does he have to me in the 21st Century???? Well, he got in trouble a lot because he insisted that the Church in England be utterly united to the Pope in Rome. He had some pretty good things to say about it too. In fact, the things he said were very relevant to today when a 21st century Pope is due in England in a month.

Check out his story:

William Shakespeare and Saint Anne Line

2010-08-05T21:25:00.003+01:00

William Shakespeare penned his poem 'The Phoenix and the Turtle' after the death of Saint Anne Line, which is believed by many to commemorate Saint Anne and her husband Roger Line. Her story is tragic, moving and dramatic, set in Elizabethan England and leading up to a tense turn of events that saw Saint Anne Line destined to become one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales and a famous historical woman.

Learn all about her heroic journey in a 28 minute original film production.

Spirit of PEACE CD

2010-08-03T20:28:00.004+01:00

Ten beautiful tracks written with prayer in mind, to draw the listener in and to bring calm to the soul. A new series of CDS called 'Holy Spirit Music Series' especially written by Bernadette who does all of the music on the films for Mary's Dowry Productions.

These ten tracks are based upon God the Holy Spirit's gift of Peace.

Track listing:

1) Seeking after God

2) The Prince of Peace

3) Peace in Death

4) God Blesses with Peace

5) Peace I leave you

6) Let not your heart be troubled

7) Be not afraid

8) Resting with the God of Peace

9) Peace Not of This World

10) Tranquility in the Soul

The album runs for 42 minutes and focusses upon the peaceful attributes of God the Holy Spirit through reflective use of piano and strings and accompanying instruments such as cello, flute and acoustic guitar.

It will be available from our online shop at £8.99

Final St. Polydore Plasden film screenshots

2010-07-27T15:48:00.017+01:00

Mary's Dowry Productions has completed filming for our upcoming production on the life and Martyrdom of Saint Polydore Plasden. We are excited about this DVD film resource as Saint Polydore Plasden, a young priest killed at aged 28, was fiercely protective of, and devoted to, Christ's Real Presence in every particle of the Holy Eucharist. He also had Sir Walter Raleigh intervene to save him at his dramatic death at Tyburn, so it was good to bring in more well known historical figures and tie them in closely to the real facts of Catholic history, which comes across bluntly and factually throughout all of our productions.

Saint Polydore Plasden is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales who died for his Catholic Faith and his Catholic priesthood in Elizabethan England. Here was a priest who devoted his entire energy to the salvation of souls. He gave his very blood at the gallows for the Catholic Faith and is a powerful intercessor for young people especially. His story ties in with 24 year old Catholic priest Saint Edmund Gennings and layman Saint Swithun Wells.

COMING SOON.

A scene with Saint Polydore Plasden and his friend and fellow Martyr Saint Edmund Gennings at Rheims seminary in France.

Saint Polydore Plasden was brutally threatened, intimidated and tortured after his arrest in prison.

Saints Polydore and Edmund Gennings reasure one another before they are questioned and tortured. Neither priest denied their Faith or gave information about fellow Catholic priests or lay men and women.

Above, in the dungeons. Below, Saint Polydore Plasden was one of many Catholics who were sadistically threatened and tortured by Richard Topcliffe, Queen Elizabeth I's top priest hunter. The Queen admired this Catholic priest-hater so much that she allowed him to have his own torture chamber in his home where Saints such as Robert Southwell suffered at his hands.

Saint Polydore was utterly determined and faithful to his priesthood and his love of Christ. He was calm and unwavering when sentenced to be brutally hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn, a sentence that could have been dropped at any moment if he had accepted the herectical doctrines and twisted Truths being forced upon the Elizabethan English people.

Below, Saint Polydore at Tyburn gallows. He prayed for and encouraged the lay men who were murdered before him.

Below, Sir Walter Raleigh intervenes and tries to prevent Saint Polydore's death. He offers to go to the Queen for a reprieve after having heard Saint Polydore's prayers for the Queen.

Topcliffe proved to the crowds that Saint Polydore Plasden denied the Queen's right to enforce her Protestant Religion upon the English people and that he would not take up arms against the Pope whom Saint Polydore saw as the rightful head of Christ's Church on earth rather than the English Monarch. Sir Walter Raleigh insists that Saint Polydore Plasden be allowed to hang until he is dead before he is butchered.

A new powerful resource coming soon from Mary's Dowry Productions - http://www.marysdowryproductions.org/

Final St. Margaret Ward film screenshots

2010-07-27T15:29:00.009+01:00

Mary's Dowry Productions has completed filming for a new DVD presentation on the life and Martyrdom of Saint Margaret Ward. Editing will shortly begin so that a powerful resource on her great Catholic witness, bravery and virtue will be available soon. Below are final screen shots from the film which, as usual, uses actors and sets to portray these Saints, Martyrs and historical people to bring them to life and make them real. The film will also use narration, Sacred art, historical imagery and facts and music for an encounter with this heroic English Martyr.

COMING SOON.

Above, Saint Margaret Ward pauses at the gallows as she makes her way around London. She would stop and pray for the intercession of the Martyrs upon the persecuted Catholics and Catholic priests in Elizabethan England.

Saint Margaret Ward visited the prisons so as to bring comfort to the Catholics who were being detained their for their Faith. She won the trust of the prison guards and was able to smuggle in some rope and plan Fr. Watson's escape.

Above, Saint Margaret Ward and the jailer and his wife. The jailer's wife allowed Saint Margaret Ward to visit their 'papist' prisoner Fr. Watson, much to the chargrin of her husband (below)

Below, Saint Margaret Ward and Fr. Watson, whom she would eventually arrange to escape from the prison.

Below, Saint Margaret Ward was arrested for arranging Fr. Watson's escape.

Saint Margaret Ward is a great patron for single Catholic women. She gave her entire attention to prayer and works for the Catholic Faith and witness to the Church. She was bold and determined. Throughout our filming, despite the intense spiritual and physical war and atmosphere of her battle against the anti Catholic government, system, society and people that sought to twist and destroy the Truth, we were blessed with beautiful visuals, flowers, butterflies, sunshine and even humour in some scenes so Saint Margaret Ward's character has been beautifully defined and her love of the Catholic Faith profound, interesting and moving.

MDP films at Amazon UK

2010-07-25T21:18:00.002+01:00

Mary's Dowry Productions has now made its films available from Amazon's UK website. Currently available from Amazon are Saint Margaret Clitherow (55 minutes) and Saint Anne Line (28 minutes). Just type these titles into the search engine and they will come up.

This is great for people who like to use Amazon and we hope to be able to reach a lot more souls to encounter the amazing witnesses of our English Saints and Martyrs!

More productions will be listed soon.

The Greatest Threat to Mankind

2010-07-21T20:02:00.001+01:00

A new trailer for Saint Polydore Plasden, English Catholic Martyr, which is currently being edited by Mary's Dowry Productions, due for release later this year.

Saint Margaret Ward's story

2010-07-02T19:28:00.009+01:00

Step back in time into Elizabethan England. The lush green town of Cheshire is the home of a young Catholic woman named Margaret Ward. Margaret lives with her Catholic family and is a determined single woman, modest and gentle with a keen intellect. Through her studies of philosophy and religion, her devotion to prayer and the Catholic Sacraments (outlawed in England at that time) her spiritual life grows and her character is shaped.

Saint Margaret Ward grows into an intelligent, prayerful young woman, with a bold and zealous trait. Her gaze is centered upon Christ and her heart she gives to Him. She understands she is called to holiness and to experience the reality of suffering and hard work, for she lives during a time of persecution of the Faith, confusion and oppression. But her understanding of and devotion to the Faith is strong and she is of a steady and joyful nature.

Soon, Margaret Ward leaves Cheshire and moves to London where she lives in the home of a good Catholic gentlewoman, keeping her company and assisting her in helping the recusant Catholics of London. Here Margaret also reads, prays and devotes her time to works of mercy, helping the poor and visiting those in prison.

A great example, and even a patron, for Catholic single women, Saint Margaret Ward spends her time and material means assisting fellow Catholics and praying for the conversion of souls. She has a deep love of Christ and is not distracted by worldly or secular pastimes and desires.

One day, Saint Margaret learns of a priest suffering greatly in prison. She sets out to brave the infamous Elizabethan prison system so as to bring him comfort and encouragement, and soon decides upon a heroic, if reckless, plan. She smuggles some rope into the prison, arranges for a boatman to be waiting beneath the priest's window and tells him to use the rope to escape at the appointed time.

Saint Margaret Ward is waiting on the riverbank, watching and praying that all goes well, but the priest doubles the rope, it falls short and he drops badly, injuring himself. The boatman flees and Saint Margaret persuades another boatman, John Roche to help the priest. This he does, swapping clothes with the priest and helping him to escape, but both John Roche and Saint Margaret Ward are arrested! Imprisoned and hung up in irons and manacles for eight long days, Saint Margaret Ward is also cruelly flogged. Her ordeal sees her paralysed and crippled from the torments, but she does not breathe a word about where the escaped Catholic priest could be. She knows that this suffering is strength for her journey ahead - her last journey where she can give her life in the sacrifice of Martyrdom for the Catholic Church in England. Sentenced to death in the Elizabethan court of law for assisting a priest, Saint Margaret Ward bravely goes to her death. She is hanged at the infamous Tyburn gallows in 1588.

A courageous woman, Saint Margaret Ward was canonised in 1970 by the great Pope Paul VI and is one of our Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Mary's Dowry Productions is currently filming original imagery of Saint Margaret Ward to accompany narrative in which she will tell you her story. The footage is filmed on locations and in authentic Elizabethan houses. Her imprisonment and her last moments at the Triple Gallows will also be portrayed. There will also be historical facts and imagery, art and music.

This will be a good resource to share the life and message of one of the English Martyrs.

Again, we do not make these films for entertainment, but if anyone would like to have a strong encounter with Saint Margaret Ward, we will be offering this film on DVD worldwide in the near future. We will be filming final scenes for this and our three other Martyrs in mid July 2010.

Three Englishmen who died for Christ in Elizabethan England

2010-06-24T22:26:00.005+01:00

Trailer for three films currently in production from Mary's Dowry Productions telling the lives of three of our Forty Martyrs of England and Wales: Saint Edmund Gennings, Saint Polydore Plasden and Saint Swithun Wells. Final shooting for these films takes place in July 2010.

(These films present the lives and witness of our Martyrs for an absorbing, exciting and spiritual encounter that points to Christ and are not made for purely entertainment.)

Saint Nicholas Owen DVD release. The Priest Hole Maker

2010-06-18T22:47:00.003+01:00

JUST RELEASED - a new DVD resource produced by Mary's Dowry Productions on the fascinating life and mission of one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Saint Nicholas Owen. Produced as a resource for both those who already know and love Saint Nicholas Owen's heroic life and for those who have not yet encountered his absorbing and important story, the film runs for 28 minutes. With a wealth of historical facts, footage, drama, imagery, art and narrative, Saint Nicholas Owen's determination, skill, deep Faith and dedication will draw you in to his ingenious life and death. He was a carpenter who spent his life constructing secret holes, rooms and passageways hidden in houses throughout Elizabethan England so as to hide the hunted Catholic priests. His love of the Catholic Faith was deep and powerful and his understanding of the Catholic priesthood, the Sacraments and the crucial position that he was in to help keep alive the persecuted Catholic Faith in England is inspiring and challenging today. The film is available in all region formats worldwide from our online shop.