Mary's Dowry Presents - Martyrs Collection 1: As Seen on EWTN:
A collection of 6 full length films on the English Martyrs across a 6 DVD individual 6 DVD set. Included in this collection are:
God's Champion - Saint Edmund Campion
The Secret Mass Room - Saint Swithun Wells
Defender of the Eucharist - Saint Polydore Plasden
The Hunted Priest - Saint Edmund Gennings
Saint Margaret Ward
The Safe House Keeper - Saint Anne Line
DISC 1: God’s Champion – St. Edmund Campion:
Of the many titles given to the great Elizabethan Jesuit priest and English Martyr Father Edmund Campion, ‘God’s Champion’ certainly presents this heroic missionary as he was for the Catholic of 16th Century England as well as for all of us today.
Profoundly intelligent and deeply devout, Saint Edmund Campion was a Protestant deacon held in great esteem by Queen Elizabeth I. He was even known by another title: The Queen’s Diamond, so great was his favour with the Protestant Queen of England. But Saint Edmund Campion’s keen mind sought after the Truth and in the face of great danger and threat he rejected all worldly favours for the outlawed Catholic Faith; the ancient Faith of England which was under great persecution.
DISC 2: The Secret Mass Room - Saint Swithun Wells
St. Swithun was named after an ancient saint of England often invoked for the weather. As a young man he travelled the continent before he met and married his devoutly Catholic wife, Alice. St. Swithun loved to share the faith during a troubled time in England and put himself out to ensure that the Mass was made available. He built a secret room in his London house where his friends could celebrate Mass and when it was finally discovered he joyfully faced his calling, leaving us a moving and inspiring witness of Catholic faithfulness. Featuring moments of creation and beauty with original haunting and medieval music written for the film.
DISC 3: Defender of the Eucharist - Saint Polydore Plasden
Polydore Plasden is one of the English Martyrs, a young Catholic priest in his late twenties who gave his life in Elizabethan England for his priesthood and the Catholic Faith. The son of a musical instrument maker in London, Saint Polydore was ordained a priest and entered England secretly to bring the outlawed Sacraments to Elizabethan Catholics.
Hunted by notorious priest catcher Richard Topcliffe, Father Polydore was arrested in the home of Saint Swithun Wells in London. He was celebrating Mass at the time and rather than escape he struck a bargain with Topcliffe to surrender if he was allowed to finish. Topcliffe agreed. Father Plasden made certain every fragment of the Eucharist was consumed to prevent desecration. He then surrendered to the priest hunter. His trial was a farce, his imprisonment an opportunity for sacrifice and prayer and his death was so brave that Sir Walter Raleigh was moved to seek his reprieve. St. Polydore was canonized in 1970 - one of our great English Saints and Martyrs.
DISC 4: The Hunted Priest - Saint Edmund Gennings
Saint Edmund Gennings is an English Catholic Saint with a story of hope and joy. Although he was only 24 years old, he realised that the people of Elizabethan England were being deprived of the Mass during a difficult time and so he decided to bring it to them. His silence spoke volumes and he formed great friendships that went beyond this life, showing us what a deep but simple faith, friendship and the love of God is capable of achieving.
DISC 5: Saint Margaret Ward
Saint Margaret Ward was so moved by the plight of Catholic priests in England that she brought comfort and encouragement to a Fr. Watson in an Elizabethan London prison at the risk of her own life. In a setting of beauty and reflection despite a climate of hostility and troubles, St. Margaret's story unfolds amidst prayer, history and faith.
DISC 6: The Safe House Keeper - Saint Anne Line
In Elizabethan England, where the Catholic Mass was outlawed and priests were hunted and condemned, Saint Anne Line, a young Catholic laywoman, spent her life caring for secret safe houses where these Catholic missionaries could rest and offer the Mass. In this film we look at the heroic and humble sacrifice that she made when priest hunters arrived to arrest those who refused to deny the Catholic Faith or the men who brought them the Sacraments. St Anne Line is one of the English Martyrs. Her example remains an encouragement and inspiration for Catholics today.
Length and Format: This collection is available worldwide on region free DVD format and is on 6 DVDs with a total running time of 180 minutes.