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

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

    

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Saint John Southworth visiting the sick in London
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD

 

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

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

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

Saint John Southworth

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

Plague Doctors in 17th Century England
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD

He was again arrested under the Interregnum and was tried at the Old Bailey under Elizabethan anti-priest legislation . He pleaded guilty to exercising the priesthood and was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. At his execution at Tyburn, London, he suffered the full pains of his sentence and was hanged, drawn and quartered. The Spanish ambassador returned his corpse to Douai for burial. His corpse was sewn together and parboiled, to preserve it. Following the French Revolution, his body was buried in an unmarked grave for its protection. The grave was discovered in 1927 and his remains were returned to England.

Saint John Southworth's body in Westminster Cathedral today
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD

They are now kept in the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs in Westminster Cathedral in London. Saint John Southworth was beatified in 1929. In 1970, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
His feast day is 27 June but this is only celebrated in the Westminster diocese.
In 2014, The Guild of Saint John Southworth was established in Westminster Cathedral. Its members are volunteers who will meet visitors, answer their questions and guide them around the cathedral if they wish. This service is free.

 

Saint John Southworth at Tyburn - man of prayer and hope
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Southworth' DVD

Saint John Southworth:

We invite you to prayerfully and quietly take a journey with Saint John Southworth, the priest of Westminster in our original film of his life and mission in England. Saint John Southworth 

What you will hear:

The life of Saint John Southworth in a narrative for the whole length of the film giving details, facts and insights into his life and Martyrdom. Original music to accompany the narrative.

St. John Southworth is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

Shielding a Friend
Saint Alexander Briant - English Martyr

Father Persons, being regarded as a most active and dangerous leader of Catholics, was ever an object of the pursuivants' search; they never succeeded in his capture, but many other priests were secured in his stead. Amongst these was taken Alexander Briant, a young man some twenty five years of age, of gentle manners and a countenance of striking beauty. After three years at Oxford, he was reconciled and entered Douay, and in 1579 started as a priest on the English mission. He laboured first in his own country, Somersetshire, where he brought back Persons' father to the Church, and thence went to London and took lodgings next to Persons, his closest and dearest friend.

Robert Persons and Saint Alexander Briant, best friends
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD

On his arrest he was confined in the Counter, and in that revolting prison, in order to extract from him Persons' whereabouts, he was for two days and nights entirely deprived of food and drink. He then contrived to get some stale cheese and hard bread with a pint of beer, but this brought on a maddening thirst. After six days in the Counter nothing had been gained from him, and sharper methods were resolved on.

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

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

Saint Alexander Briant:
A touching and thought provoking journey with a very young and holy Catholic priest whose spiritual insight and wisdom of the Catholic Faith gave hope to the people of his day.  Although linked to St. Edmund Campion, his story stands alone, edged with the mystical.  From a young boy in Somerset to a young priest in the City of London, St. Alexander's story is filled with peace, encouragement and inspiration.
 

Saint Alexander Briant carves a cross in prison
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant' DVD

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this young and holy priest.
Length and Format:

The film runs for 30 minutes and is available worldwide on Region Free DVD.

Our film about Saint Alexander Briant is available on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions online shop:
www.marysdowryproductions.org
We ship worldwide and region free

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

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

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

 

Saint John Fisher in prayer and meditation
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint John Fisher'

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with Saint John Fisher.
Length and Format:

The film runs for one hour and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

www.marysdowryproductions.org

 

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

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

     Saint Philip of Arundel:
St. Philip Howard was the Earl of Arundel in West Sussex where his beautiful castle stands today.  The castle is featured in this film.  He was also Queen Elizabeth I's cousin.  St. Philip became a Catholic during a troubled time in Elizabethan England.  He loved to pray and was able to keep his beloved dog with him in the Tower of London.  His shrine is in Arundel Cathedral and his life gives us an inspiring story of kindness and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  St. Philip tells his story in his own words with beautiful contemplative music composed in a medieval and contemporary style.

Statue at the Shrine of Saint Philip Howard in Arundel Cathedral
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' DVD

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this Elizabethan Saint.
Length and Format:

 

The film runs for 30 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Born in the Strand, London, he was the only child of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, and Lady Mary FitzAlan, daughter of Henry, Earl of Arundel. He was baptised at Whitehall Palace with the Royal Family in attendance, and was named after his godfather, Philip II, King of Spain. Philip Howard was born during the upheaval of the Reformation. His home from the age of seven was a former Carthusian monastery. At the age of fourteen, he was married to his stepsister, Anne Dacre. He graduated at St John's College, Cambridge in 1574 and was about eighteen when he attended Queen Elizabeth's Court.^[3] His life had been a frivolous one both at Cambridge and at Court where he was a favourite of the Queen.

 

Arundel Castle
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' DVD

 

On 1 October 1569, Philip Howard's father the Duke of Norfolk was arrested for his intrigues against Queen Elizabeth I. His father was attainted and executed in 1572, but Philip Howard succeeded to his mother's inheritance upon the death of his grandfather, becoming Earl of Arundel in 1580. He was present in 1581, at a debate in the Tower of London between, Fr Edmund Campion, Jesuit, Fr Ralph Sherwin, and a group of Protestant theologians. He was so impressed by the Catholics that he experienced a conversion moment. He renounced his previous, frivolous life and was reconciled with his wife.

Saint Philip Howard, with much of his family, remained Catholic recusants during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. They also attempted to leave England without permission. While some might have been able to do this unobserved, Arundel was second cousin (once removed) of the Queen. He was betrayed by a servant and arrested not long after his ship set sail from Littlehampton.Howard was committed to the Tower of London on 25 April 1585. While charges of high treason were never proved, he spent ten years in the Tower, until his death of dysentery. Queen Elizabeth never signed the death warrant, but Philip was never told.

 

Shrine and Tomb of Saint Philip Howard
© Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip Howard' DVD

 Saint Philip Howard was kept constantly in fear of execution, although comforted by the companionship of a dog, which served as go-between with Philip and other prisoners, most notably the priest Saint Robert Southwell. Although these two great men never met, Philip’s dog helped them to deepen their friendship and exchange encouragement in each other's plight. Philip loved his pet, who is remembered along with him in a statue at Arundel Cathedral.

 

Anne Dacre, wife of Saint Philip Howard
© 2015 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Robert Southwell' DVD

One day Philip scratched into a wall of his cell these words: "Quanto plus afflictiones pro Christo in hoc saeculo, tanto plus gloriae cum Christo in futuro" – 'the more affliction [we endure] for Christ in this world, the more glory [we shall obtain] with Christ in the next' (cf. Rom 8).

He had petitioned the Queen as he lay dying to allow him to see his wife and his son, who had been born after his imprisonment. The Queen responded that "If he will but once attend the Protestant Service, he shall not only see his wife and children, but be restored to his honors and estates with every mark of my royal favor." To this, Philip is supposed to have replied, "Tell Her Majesty if my religion be the cause for which I suffer, sorry I am that I have but one life to lose." He remained in the Tower, never seeing his wife or daughter again and died alone on Sunday, 19 October 1595.He was immediately acclaimed as a Catholic Martyr.

He was buried without ceremony beneath the floor of the church of St Peter ad Vincula, inside the walls of the Tower. Twenty nine years later, his widow and son obtained permission from King James I of England to move the body to the Fitzalan Chapel located on the western grounds of Arundel Castle. Some of his bones are also found within his shrine at Arundel Cathedral.

He was attainted in 1589, but his son Thomas eventually was restored in blood and succeeded as Earl of Arundel, and to the lesser titles of his grandfather.

 

Arundel Cathedral
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Philip of Arundel' DVD

 

Saint Philip Howard is one of the patron saints of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. Arundel Cathedral, originally known as the Church of St. Philip Neri, was commissioned by the 15th Duke of Norfolk in 1868. It was created a Cathedral in 1965 and its dedication was changed to Our Lady and St. Philip Howard in October 1970. His tomb was moved to the Cathedral in 1971 and remains a site of pilgrimage.

 

Our film about Saint Philip Howard is available on DVD through:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

Alexander Briant, Saint and Martyr, his life on DVD, England, Elizabethan, Misionary priest, Somerset, Mary's Dowry Productions

Alexander Briant, Saint and Martyr DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions

Saint Alexander Briant
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Alexander Briant

     Our film about Saint Alexander Briant is now available on DVD.

A touching and thought provoking journey with a very young and holy Catholic priest whose spiritual insight and wisdom of the Catholic Faith gave hope to the people of his day.  Although linked to St. Edmund Campion, his story stands alone, edged with the mystical.  From a young boy in Somerset to a young priest in the City of London, St. Alexander's story is filled with peace, encouragement and inspiration.
In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this young and holy priest.

 

"Whether this that I say be miraculous or no, God knoweth. But true it is, and thereof my conscience is a witness before God. And this I say that in the end of the torture, though my hands and feet were violently stretched and racked, and my adversaries fulfilled their wicked lust in practising their cruel tyranny on my body, yet notwithstanding I was without sense and feeling, well nigh of all grief and pain; and not so only, but as it were comforted, eased and refreshed with perfect and present senses in quietness of heart and tranquillity of mind; which thing when the commissioners did see, they departed, and in going forth of the door they gave orders to rack me again the next day following after the same sort. Now when I heard them say so, it came into my mind by-and-by, and I did verily believe and trust, that with the help of God I should be able to bear and suffer it patiently. In the meantime (as well as I could) I did muse and meditate upon the most bitter passion of our Saviour, and how full of innumerable pains it was."

-Saint Alexander Briant.

Saint Bega of Bees, Virgin, Hermit, Irish Princess - DVD of her life

Saint Bega of Bees, Irish Princess, hermit and virgin - DVD - from Mary's Dowry Productions

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

St. Bega of Bees

St. Bega was an Irish princess who fled her homeland in the night to escape a planned marriage.  As she stood upon the seashore St. Bega implored of God a means to cross the Irish Sea to England. God heard her prayer and she cut a section of turf from the ground, placed it upon the sea and miraculously crossed to Cumbria where she lived as a hermit. Fearing the attack of pirates St. Bega made her way to the court of King Oswald of Northumbria and received the veil from St. Aidan of Lindisfarne. Miracles occurred after her death and she has been remembered recently in secular novels, plays and paintings. Includes a prayer found recently in a 15^th century book of hours to St. Bega.  

What you will hear:

The life of St. Bega and other fascinating historical facts in a simple yet informative narrative for the whole length of the film. Original contemplative music to accompany the narrative.

What you will see:

A selection of paintings, historical art, sacred imagery, relevant photographs; St. Bega and footage of English countryside. 

Length:

The film runs for 27 minutes.

‘St. Bega of Bees’ is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

AVAILABLE ON DVD WORLDWIDE FROM

www.marysdowryproductions.org

Saint Ursula, A new DVD of her life, Early British Saint, pilgrimage, friendship and prayer

St. Ursula
 

A beautiful Catholic princess goes on a holy voyage of discovery, devotion and faith from England to the continent, like one of the first Apostles, Ursula became a bright light in history showing the devotion, Catholic spirituality, character and friendship of the people of her time.  Step back into the 4th century and be inspired.

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with this inspiring Romano-British princess.  

 Length and Format:

The film runs for 27 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

www.marysdowryproductions.org

 

Saint Ursula as she appears in 'Saint Ursula'

Mary's Dowry Productions © 2014

www.marysdowryproductions.org

Thomas Cromwell, the King's Collaborator, DVD, new, the Wolf of Wolf's Hall, King Henry VIII, Tudor England, a Catholic Perspective

Thomas Cromwell: The King’s Collaborator

In 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed key moments from the lives of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher, two Catholic Saints from Tudor England. Many of these scenes included events that took place with Thomas Cromwell. Due to request, Mary's Dowry Productions produced a DVD that looks at Thomas Cromwell from a Catholic perspective, using the silent and contemplative scenes filmed for Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher.

Thomas Cromwell seated while in thought
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator' DVD

The life of Thomas Cromwell is presented in a reflective manner. With Mary's Dowry Productions' style of film making we have created a new form of media. We offer a way to prayerfully and spiritually contemplate the lives of the Saints through film. While Thomas Cromwell is not a Saint or Catholic figure, his actions in history affected many of our Catholic Saints with whom he interacted, therefore this film about his life and work in a pivotal time in the history of once Catholic England is worth pondering. This is a film for Catholics.

Thomas Cromwell looks on while King Henry VIII warns Saint
Thomas More not to oppose him in his state and religious plans.
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator'

While this film is produced for Catholics, it is filled with historical information, facts and details from the documented life of Thomas Cromwell. People unused to watching film with their spiritual senses may perhaps find it intriguing.

Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator is available on DVD worldwide in all region formats through Mary's Dowry Productions online shop:
www.marysdowryproductions.org

In 2007 Mary’s Dowry productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the saints. Mary’s Dowry Productions recreates stunning silent visuals, informative, devotional narration, and original contemplative music that touches your spirit to draw you into a spiritual encounter with the saint. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear. Our films seek to offer a window into the lives of our saints. Using your spiritual senses we invite you to shut out the world, sit prayerfully and peacefully and go on a journey of faith, history and prayer with our inspiring Saints.

Thomas Cromwell arrives in the Tower of London to convince
both Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher to go with the King
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator' DVD

Tudor statesman, politician and reformer Thomas Cromwell remains known in history as one of the most powerful figures during the turbulent times of early 16th century England.  In this Catholic film of his life the Earl of Essex is presented as he was; friend of a king, enemy of a queen and reformer of a country, ambitious, determined and ruthless yet devoted in his aim to serve King Henry VIII with dedication, no matter what was commanded and with his own agenda in mind.  Looking in simple detail at his humble beginnings and his rise to power we follow Thomas Cromwell through his early years as Cardinal Wolsey’s secretary, a post that could have tarnished his career yet showed how ambitious this man from Putney truly was as he climbed the ladder of politics; we look at Cromwell’s part in King Henry VIII’s usurpation of the Church in England and his eventual position as King Henry VIII’s chief minister where he reshaped a nation, was finally condemned by the King as a traitor and executed at Tower Hill.  A presentation of paintings, maps, documents and costumed visuals make this a creative way to learn about the notorious Thomas Cromwell.

 

Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator' DVD

Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, KG (c. 1485 – 28 July 1540), was an English lawyer and statesman who served as chief minister to King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540.
Cromwell was one of the strongest and most powerful advocates of Reformation especially using Religion for matters of State. He helped to engineer an annulment of the king's marriage to Queen Catherine of Aragon to allow Henry to marry his mistress Anne Boleyn when the Catholic Church deliberated that the King's marriage to Queen Catherine was lawful and vaild. After failing in 1534 to obtain the Pope's approval of the request for annulment, the English Parliament endorsed the King's claim to be head of the breakaway Church of England, thus giving Henry the authority to annul his own marriage. Cromwell subsequently plotted an evangelical, reformist course for the embryonic Church of England from the unique posts of vicegerent in spirituals and vicar-general.
During his rise to power, Cromwell made many enemies, including his former ally Anne Boleyn; he played a prominent role in her downfall. He later fell from power after arranging the King's marriage to a German princess, Anne of Cleves. Cromwell hoped that the marriage would breathe fresh life into the Re-formation of England, but because Henry found his new bride unattractive, it turned into a disaster for Cromwell and ended in an annulment six months later. Cromwell was arraigned under a bill of attainder and executed for treason and heresy on Tower Hill on 28 July 1540. The King later expressed regret at the loss of his chief minister.

Thomas Cromwell visits Bishop John Fisher in the Tower of London
attempting to convince the Bishop to take the Oath
© 2012 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Thomas Cromwell: The King's Collaborator' DVD

Until the 1950s, historians had downplayed Cromwell's role, calling him a doctrinaire hack who was little more than the agent of the despotic King Henry VIII. Geoffrey Elton in The Tudor Revolution (1953), however, featured him as the central figure in the Tudor revolution in government. Elton portrayed Cromwell as the presiding genius, much more so than the King, handling the break with Rome, and the laws and administrative procedures that made the English Reformation so important. Elton says that he was responsible for translating Royal supremacy into Parliamentary terms, creating powerful new organs of government to take charge of Church lands and largely removing the medieval features of central government. Subsequent historians have agreed with Cromwell's importance, although downplaying the "revolution" that Elton claimed.
Leithead (2004) says of Cromwell:

Against significant opposition he secured acceptance of the king's new powers, created a more united and more easily governable kingdom, and provided the crown, at least temporarily, with a very significant landed endowment.

Saint Teresa of Avila film on DVD, Carmelite, Founder, Doctor of Prayer

Saint Teresa of Avila, Carmelite and Founder, A new DVD - Mary's Dowry Productions

    

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

St. Teresa of Avila

The life of Spanish mystic, author, reformer and Doctor of Prayer St. Teresa of Avila is looked at in detail in this biographical film presentation that is suitable for all. St. Teresa’s early life, devotions, trials and decisions as well as her novitiate, conversions, development of prayer, her reformation of the Carmelite Order and much more are here carefully presented. St. Teresa’s natural qualities, humour, devotion and writings attracted and inspired many during her lifetime and continue to do so today. Good humoured, determined and deeply in love with God she is a great example for all. Sacred art, paintings, photographs and maps of Spain, a simple costumed visual, scenery, narrative and music combine to present a creative, detailed and devotional film presentation of the life of St. Teresa of Avila.

What you will hear:

The life of St. Teresa of Avila in an informative narrative for the whole length of the film. Original music to accompany the narrative.

What you will see:

A selection of paintings, historical art, sacred imagery, relevant artwork and photographs; a simple costumed visual of St. Teresa of Avila to help aid the narrative. 

Length:

The film runs for 28 minutes.

Target Audience:

The film is suitable for all ages, aimed mainly at Catholics with an understanding of the Faith and an appreciation for the spiritual life. 

The producers:

Mary’s Dowry Productions was established in 2007. The films presenting the lives of the Saints and Martyrs of the Church provide original and simple ways to share the stories and words of these heroic examples of the Faith.

Format:

‘St. Teresa of Avila’ is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Saint Helen and the True Cross, a film of her life on DVD

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

Our film about St. Helen and the True Cross (see earlier post) is available now on DVD worldwide through Mary's Dowry Productions.
www.marysdowryproductions.org
We ship worldwide and Region Free



St. Mildred of Thanet, film of her life, new DVD

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.
 

In this film we follow the gentle, devout and faithful Saint Mildred from her home in England to France and a conflict with a worldly abbess determined to align herself with this royal English family.

Miracles followed St. Mildred who escaped from France, returned to England and became a famous abbess, later a Saint whose popularity once outshone that of the great Saint Augustine of Canterbury in England among the English people. 

Immerse yourself in beautiful works of art, footage of nature, the drama, faith and devotions of an early English Saint with historical imagery, narrative and music in this 30 minute film of her life available worldwide on DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

St. Bertha: Queen of Kent, Pope Gregory the Great, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Saxon England, St. Ethelbert of Kent, Roman Mission, Gregorian Chant, Merovingian Kings, Christianity, DVD, NEW FILM

Our film about St. Bertha: Queen of Kent is now available on DVD worldwide from:

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS ONLINE SHOP

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

 

In this film we look at the life of Saint Bertha, a Frankish Princess born into the Merovingian Dynasty, given in marriage to the Pagan King Ethelbert of Kent so as to forge political ties under the condition that Saint Bertha would be able to continue practising the Catholic Faith.

We look at Pope St. Gregory the Great's Gregorian Mission to England, how St Bertha's example assisted in King Ethelbert's conversion to Catholicism and the founding of Canterbury Cathedral, the Mother Church in England until the schism of the 16th Century known as the Protestant Reformation.  The last Archbishop of Canterbury Cathedral was Reginald Pole, son of Blessed Margaret Pole the Countess of Salisbury and English Martyr.

We look at how the Mother Church in England was finally re-established with the opening of Westminster Cathedral in London.  We also look at the Roman Occupation of Britain, Pope St. Gregory's letter to St Bertha thanking her for her holiness and witness to the Catholic Faith and praising her faith and knowledge of letters and other interesting facts from history. 

A careful blend of footage of England, historical imagery and photographs, paintings, works of art, stained glass windows, a simple costumed portrayal of St. Bertha, statues, sculptures, maps, narrative and music make this a creative way to meet St. Bertha and learn about her wonderful example of Catholic Faith and devotion and her important place in the history of the Catholic Church in England.

St. Bertha: Queen of Kent is available now on DVD worldwide.
www.marysdowryproductions.org
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The Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction, England, UK, UPDATED WEBSITE

 

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction, England, website has been updated this month.

Check it out for interesting information and facts here.

  Gary Bevans completed the world's only exact copy of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling in 1993 upon the ceiling of his parish church of the English Martyrs, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, England.  A natural artist, Gary was trained as a sign writer and converted to the Catholic Faith when he was seventeen years old.  He donated several paintings to his parish church over the years including portraits of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. 

 

St Thomas More and St. John Fisher
Portraits painted by Gary Bevans in the early 1980's
Currently located in English Martyrs Catholic Church, Worthing

 In 1987, after a pilgrimage to Rome for the Beatification of George Haydock and the Blessed Martyrs Gary was inspired to paint a copy of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling upon the ceiling of English Martyrs church after having visited it in Rome and noting the ceiling was practically the same shape and size as that of his parish church at home. 

After having received permission from Bishop Cormac Murphy O'Connor Gary undertook the work in his spare time, unpaid, as a gift to the Universal Church.  The massive work of art took five years to complete, materials were funded by the kind donations of parishioners and visitors, and the completion was celebrated by a special Mass in November 1993 where Gary was presented with the Papal Medal 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' from Pope John Paul II. 

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction remains a popular place of interest today.

  Gary is a Deacon at English Martyrs Church as well as continuing to work at his full-time job of painting and decorating.  Gary has contributed set pieces, props and paintings to many of our films and his Ceiling has featured in several of our productions, for instance, a film telling the life of English Martyr and Jesuit priest St. Henry Morse included St. Henry Morse's early days in Rome where he worked as a tour guide.  We were fortunate to be able to use Gary's Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction as the backdrop for a scene in this film:

 

St. Henry Morse shows visitors the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Screenshot from 'St. Henry Morse: Priest of the Plague'
by Mary's Dowry Productions

Mary's Dowry Productions was founded in 2007 by Gary's two daughters to produce films sharing the lives of the English Martyrs and Saints on DVD, especially for people who had not heard of their fascinating and inspiring lives. 

Gary remains a key contributor to several productions and some portrayals have been filmed in the 'barn' attached to English Martyrs Church where the Sistine Chapel Ceiling is housed.

Known for being 'media shy' Gary rarely contributes to the on going interest of his reproduction of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling in secular media but in 2008 he narrated an hour long documentary in which he explains in depth his fascinating journey and process creating the work of art.  The documentary includes never-before-seen photographs and footage donated by Gary and is available worldwide on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions and Amazon.

 

Click this link to go to the film:

HOW I PAINTED THE SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING DVD

 

Click this link to visit the updated Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction website:

THE SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING REPRODUCTION WEBSITE

 

 

Be sure to check back for updates as photographs, interviews, information and facts are added.

Gary's copy of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling Reproduction in process

 

 



Saint Philomena, a new film of her life, with special thanks to the Universal Living Rosary Association

In 2007 Mary's Dowry Productions created a new form of film media in which to present the lives of the Saints on DVD. We invite you to watch our film prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses. Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments, silently and with no dialogue, from a Saint's life, using historical costume and beautiful backdrops. Original contemplative music runs beneath a detailed narrative that seeks to engage the viewer with the Saint. Our films offer a window into the life of each Saint.

Our film presenting the life of St. Philomena is now available on DVD worldwide through our online shop. This is a contemplative, detailed and devotional look at one of the most powerful Saints of the Catholic Church. With an open narrative looking at the discovery of St. Philomena's relics, we continue to an informative and fascinating account of Saint Philomena's life told from her own point of view.  The film concludes with a final narrative that explains about devotions to St. Philomena as recommended by Popes and Saints and her role as protectress of the Living Rosary Association.  Sacred art, historical imagery, a simple costumed visual, photographs, original music and narration make this an original and enjoyable way to learn about the great Grecian princess and Martyr Saint Philomena.

OUT NOW ON DVD at

www.marysdowryproductions.org
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