John Southworth, Saint and English Martyr - his life and mission on DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions
In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
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| Saint John Southworth visiting the sick in London © 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD |
Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.
In 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed scenes from specific moments in the lives of Saint John Southworth and Saint Henry Morse, two priests and English Martyrs who worked together in England. Their mission was to share the love and joy of the Gospel with the English people. Saint John Southworth selflessly travelled England, especially working in the Westminster area, in the 17th century, touching all he met with his kindness and love of God. We were able to film some reflective moments from his life which included visiting victims of the plague, writing his letter with Saint Henry Morse to Queen Henrietta, his time of prayer and reflection and his good example given in prison and at Tyburn. Saint John Southworth has left us an inspiring example of faith and the Gospel especially during times of difficulty in society.
Saint John Southworth
Father John Southworth came from a Lancashire family who lived at Samlesbury Hall. They chose to pay heavy fines rather than give up the Catholic faith. He studied at the English College in Douai, now in northern France, (and then moved to Hertfordshire, St Edmunds College) and was ordained priest before he returned to England. Imprisoned and sentenced to death for professing the Catholic faith, he was later deported to France. Once more he returned to England and lived in Clerkenwell, London, during a plague epidemic. He assisted and converted the sick in Westminster and was arrested again.
He was again arrested under the Interregnum and was tried at the Old Bailey under Elizabethan anti-priest legislation . He pleaded guilty to exercising the priesthood and was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. At his execution at Tyburn, London, he suffered the full pains of his sentence and was hanged, drawn and quartered. The Spanish ambassador returned his corpse to Douai for burial. His corpse was sewn together and parboiled, to preserve it. Following the French Revolution, his body was buried in an unmarked grave for its protection. The grave was discovered in 1927 and his remains were returned to England.
They are now kept in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs in Westminster Cathedral in London. Saint John Southworth was beatified in 1929. In 1970, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
His feast day is 27 June but this is only celebrated in the Westminster diocese.
In 2014, The Guild of Saint John Southworth was established in Westminster Cathedral. Its members are volunteers who will meet visitors, answer their questions and guide them around the cathedral if they wish. This service is free.
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| Saint John Southworth in prison © 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD |
In 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed scenes from specific moments in the lives of Saint John Southworth and Saint Henry Morse, two priests and English Martyrs who worked together in England. Their mission was to share the love and joy of the Gospel with the English people. Saint John Southworth selflessly travelled England, especially working in the Westminster area, in the 17th century, touching all he met with his kindness and love of God. We were able to film some reflective moments from his life which included visiting victims of the plague, writing his letter with Saint Henry Morse to Queen Henrietta, his time of prayer and reflection and his good example given in prison and at Tyburn. Saint John Southworth has left us an inspiring example of faith and the Gospel especially during times of difficulty in society.
Saint John Southworth
Father John Southworth came from a Lancashire family who lived at Samlesbury Hall. They chose to pay heavy fines rather than give up the Catholic faith. He studied at the English College in Douai, now in northern France, (and then moved to Hertfordshire, St Edmunds College) and was ordained priest before he returned to England. Imprisoned and sentenced to death for professing the Catholic faith, he was later deported to France. Once more he returned to England and lived in Clerkenwell, London, during a plague epidemic. He assisted and converted the sick in Westminster and was arrested again.
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| Plague Doctors in 17th Century England © 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD |
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| Saint John Southworth's body in Westminster Cathedral today © 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD |
His feast day is 27 June but this is only celebrated in the Westminster diocese.
In 2014, The Guild of Saint John Southworth was established in Westminster Cathedral. Its members are volunteers who will meet visitors, answer their questions and guide them around the cathedral if they wish. This service is free.
 |
| Saint John Southworth at Tyburn - man of prayer and hope © 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD |
Saint John Southworth:
We invite you to prayerfully and quietly take a journey with Saint John Southworth, the priest of Westminster in our original film of his life and mission in England. Saint John Southworth
What you will hear:
The life of Saint John Southworth in a narrative for the whole length of the film giving details, facts and insights into his life and Martyrdom. Original music to accompany the narrative.
St. John Southworth is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.
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