Saturday, 16 May 2015

'The Secret Mass Room', Catholic film on DVD, spiritually engaging and moving, new media, Saint Swithun Wells, Mary's Dowry Productions, English Martyr

A Country Gentleman
Saint Swithun Wells - Layman

His father was renowned in Hampshire as a confessor for the faith; Swithun himself was kindly, courteous, generous, brave, a country gentleman fond of country diversions. Much of his diversions he gave up, however to train youths in the faith and learning - that is, he kept a school - in Wiltshire. Afterwards he went to London, and was there condemned for having had Mass in his house; he was led out to die with his wife, sentence for the same offence. She was reprieved, and after ten years in Newgate died, still in prison, in 1602.

Saint Swithun Wells and his wife Alice in prison
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Swithun Wells' DVD

On Swithun's way to the scaffold, set up opposite his own door, he saw a man he knew, and called out to him, "Farewell, old friend! Farewell hawking and hunting and old pastimes; I am now going a better way." The butchery of Gennings being over, "Despatch," said Wells, "Mr. Topcliffe, despatch; are you not ashamed to let an old man stand here so long in his shirt in the cold?" Then, after apologizing for a rude remark, about Topcliffe's parentage, he added, "I pray God make you, of a Saul, a Paul." And in such-like speeches, full of charity and courage, he happily ended his course.

"He was a stout hunter before the Lord." - Gen.10, 9.

From 'Mementoes of the English Martyrs and Confessors of England and Wales'
by Henry Sebastian Bowden of the Oratory - Reading for 11th December

Saint Swithun at the gallows outside his own home with Richard Topcliffe
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Swithun Wells' DVD

Mary's Dowry Productions loves to recreate key moments from the life of a Saint or Martyr using historical costume, beautiful backdrops and props. These recreations run silently, with no dialogue, beneath a narration that combines with original contemplative music aiding in the spiritual encounter.

Saint Swithun Wells:

Saint Swithun Wells left us an inspiring message of joy and kindness even during troubled times. Our film about Saint Swithun Wells runs for thirty minutes.

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 Swithun Wells.

DVDs available from Mary's Dowry Productions:
www.marysdowryproductions.org
We ship worldwide and region free

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Saint Francis of Assisi, film presenting his life, stigmata, DVD Mary's Dowry Productions

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI DVD
FROM MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

He was "the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation."

(- Pope Francis).

In this film we look at the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, probably the most popular Saint in the Catholic Church. He was an Italian Roman Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land and remains one of the most venerated religious figures in history, not because of his achievements but because of his life and message of simplicity, love and peace as well as his profound love for the Church, the Passion of Christ and his great example of prayer.

We journey with Saint Francis through his whole life including his conversion, his miracles, prayers, devotions and his legacy which is especially relevant today.

Length and Format:

The film runs for 45 minutes and is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

Saint Francis of Assisi is available from:

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

Monday, 4 May 2015

St. Edmund, English Martyr film, on DVD, new form of film media

Our 2010 film about English Martyr St. Edmund Gennings is available from our online shop on DVD worldwide region free.
In 2007 Mary's Dowyr Productions created a new form of film media to present the lives of the Saints and English Martyrs. We invite you to watch prayerfully and quietly and to engage your spiritual senses as you take a journey with one of our great Catholic witnesses.
Watch with your spiritual eye, listen with your spiritual ear.
Saint Edmund Gennings tells the heroic story of 24 year old priest who set out on a dramatic and courageous journey throughout Elizabethan England where the Mass, the priesthood and the Sacraments were illegal during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. While offering a secret Mass in the home of fellow Martyr St, Swithun Wells, Fr. Edmund was arrested, escorted through the streets in his vestments, ridiculed, beaten, tortured and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He refused to deny his priesthood or the outlawed Catholic Faith. He was hanged, drawn and quartered outside St. Swithun's house where he had been captured, in front of a large crowd. He is one of our great and inspiring English Martyrs.
Available on DVD through Mary's Dowry Productions online shop:

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

We ship worldwide, region free

Friday, 24 April 2015

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

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

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

Saint Nicholas Owen measures a wall to build a priest hole
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Nicholas Owen: The Priest Hole Maker' DVD

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

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

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

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

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa:

She was just fourteen years old when this spirited and humorous Portuguese girl chose to jump out of a high window so as to escape an attack upon her purity. Her spine was irreparably injured in the fall and she soon found herself bedridden for the rest of her life at the age of twenty. She did not despair however, and amidst unspeakable pain she entered upon an astounding vocation - to embrace a specific calling by Christ as a 'Victim Soul'. In this documentary, the life of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa presents a deeply absorbing, thought-provoking and inspiring look at the deep love of Our Lord for mankind, Faith and virtue, at reparation, devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and the need for mankind to convert. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004 Blessed Alexandrina has been proposed by the Church as 'a model of purity and perseverance in the Faith for today's youth".

What you will hear:

The life of Blessed Alexandrina in a narrative telling her whole journey, mission and death, interspersed with quotes of Our Lord to Blessed Alexandrina. Original music to accompany the narrative.

What you will see:

Photographs of Balasar, Portugal including Blessed Alexandrina’s house and village. Costumed visuals of Blessed Alexandrina and those associated with her story to help aid the narrative. The film is presented in black and white for 50 minutes, concluding in colour.

Length:

The film runs for 55 minutes.

Target Audience:

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

The producers:

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

Format:

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

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

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

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

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

Saint John of the Cross
© 2015 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'St. John of the Cross' DVD

Saint John of the Cross, O.C.D. (Spanish: San Juan de la Cruz; 1542^[ – 14 December 1591), was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, a Roman Catholic saint, a Carmelite friar and a priest who was born at Fontiveros, Old Castile.

John of the Cross was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered, along with Saint Teresa of Ávila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. He is also known for his writings. Both his poetry and his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature and one of the peaks of all Spanish literature. He was canonized as a saint in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is one of the thirty-six Doctors of the Church.

Our film about Saint John of the Cross runs for 30 minutes.

St. John of the Cross is available on Region Free DVD worldwide:

MARY'S DOWRY PRODUCTIONS

Saturday, 18 April 2015

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

Walsingham, England's Shrine

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

A prayerful and spiritual film that looks at the whole history of Our Lady of Walsingham, beginning with the dreams and mystical experiences of Lady Richeldis de Faverches and covering almost 1000 years of devotion in England. Presented from Arundel Cathedral during the visit of a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Walsingham.

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

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

Steyning is a little village in West Sussex where, in Saxon times, Saint Cuthman built a church in honour of Our Lord which still stands today. St. Cuthman of Steyning is particularly noted for its uplifting soundtrack.

Our film is available on DVD through:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

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

God’s Champion – St. Edmund Campion:

A shorter version of our long film about St. Edmund Campion with additional focus on his influence upon the Earl of Arundel, a fellow Catholic convert. Prayerful and insightful.

Saint Edmund Campion arrives in Elizabethan England
Screenshot from 'God's Champion'
© 2009 Mary's Dowry Productions

Length and Format:

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

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

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

St. Bertha: Queen of Kent

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

Saint Bertha - Queen of Kent
© 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from 'Saint Bertha' DVD

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

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

St. Philomena tells her story in this new film about her life which also includes a look at the history of devotion to her, the finding of her relics, her great devotees including Saints and Popes, her role as Protectress of the Living Rosary Association and how powerful she is with God. With many beautiful and relevant works of art, footage of nature, a costumed visual of St. Philomena, photographs of her imagery, narrative and an original score this is a detailed, devotional, contemplative and simple presentation especially for those who have never encountered her.

What you will hear:

The life of St. Philomena and informative narrative for the whole length of the film beginning with an opening narration followed by her life told from her own point of view and finishing with a concluding narrative. Original music to accompany the narrative.

What you will see:

A selection of paintings, historical art, sacred imagery, abstract and relevant artwork and photographs; a simple costumed visual of St. Philomena and footage of English countryside, help aid the narrative.

Length:

The film runs for 30 minutes.

Target Audience:

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

The producers:

Format:

‘St. Philomena’ is available on Region Free DVD worldwide.

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

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

St. Polydore Plasden

At 28 years old St. Polydore Plasden loved Our Lord in the Eucharist. This love he imparted to the people around him. During a difficult time in English history, St. Polydore brought the joy of the Gospel to the Elizabethan people. This film opens a window into Polydore's life showing how he loved his friends, loved God and spent himself in the service of others. Moving, contemplative and inspiring with a haunting cello and atmospheric style this film shows how we too can imitate his simple yet deep faith.

Saint Polydore Plasden in prison
© 2010 Mary's Dowry Productions
Screenshot from Saint Polydore Plasden DVD

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

Bede: Bǣda or Bēda; 672/673 – 26 May 735), also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede (Latin: Bēda Venerābilis), was an English Catholic monk at the monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth and its companion monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow (see Monkwearmouth-Jarrow), County Durham, both of which were then in the Kingdom of Northumbria. He is well known as an author and scholar, and his most famous work, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title "The Father of English History".

In 1899, Saint Bede was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII; he is the only native of Great Britain to achieve this designation (Anselm of Canterbury, also a Doctor of the Church, was originally from Italy). Bede was moreover a skilled linguist and translator, and his work made the Latin and Greek writings of the early Church Fathers much more accessible to his fellow Anglo-Saxons, contributing significantly to English Christianity. Bede's monastery had access to an impressive library which included works by Eusebius and Orosius, among many others.

In 2014 Mary's Dowry Productions filmed some prayerful visuals of Saint Bede for a film of his life.

Beautifully uplifting and contemplative music accompanies an informative narrative that, while detailed and filled with historical facts, offers a prayerful way to encounter one of our early Christian Saints.

Saint Bede is available on DVD worldwide through:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

Saint Helen and the True Cross

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

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

Our DVD is available all region formats, worldwide through:

www.marysdowryproductions.org

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

Saint John Southworth visiting the sick in London
© 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.

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

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.

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

www.marysdowryproductions.org