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By Kimberly Bruce Perhaps the most popular saint in England before the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket in the year 1170, St. Cuthbert (feast day: 4 September) was known as the “wonder-worker” for the many miracles performed during his lifetime and after his death. As bishop of Lindisfarne off England’s wild and stormy northeast coast in the 7th century, St.…

By Kimberly Bruce           “Saint Margaret Clitherow, with moving simplicity, expressed the meaning of her life and death in a succinct way: ‘I die for the love of my Lord Jesus.’” So stated Pope St. Paul VI when in 1970 he canonized “the Pearl of York” among 40 English martyrs, all of whom died for their…

Priestly witness: St. John Jones, martyr By Kimberly Bruce The Protestant Reformation in England and Wales, begun by King Henry VIII and vigorously pursued by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, resulted in the martyrdom of more than 300 innocent priests, men, and women, many of whom are not well known today. One of these heroic figures, St. John Jones (feast…

Reflections on Ordination July 2025 Deacon Alexander Pumphrey, MIC, joined the Divine Mercy Apostolate UK this month, working with Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Catholic convert, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate in February, and will be ordained to the priesthood on 16 August. Here is his second monthly “corner” blog. As the date…

We were truly blessed to have Fr Chris Alar, MIC visit England from 3-8 June 2025! Father Chris, the Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina, was here to debut his new book, Understanding the Sacraments: God’s Grace Guaranteed! and to share the Good…

Father Alex’s Corner, March 2026: click here The Annunciation & the Incarnation, March 2026: click here Father Alex’s Corner, February 2026: click here Lent is a time of reflection, February 2026: click here This Lent, know the fire of Mercy, February 2026: click here Father Alex’s homily on Blessed George, 27 January 2026: click here Father Alex’s Corner, January 2026: click…

By Kimberly Bruce Sunday, 22 June is a significant day in the Church calendar: the feast of two great and inspiring English Catholic martyrs: St. John Fisher, bishop, and St. Thomas More. Saint John Fisher (1469-1535) was a renowned scholar, priest, and cardinal in the Catholic Church. Saint Thomas More (1478-1535) was a popular statesman, humanist, and author, as well…

New Beginnings, New Opportunities June 2025 Deacon Alexander Pumphrey, MIC, joined the Divine Mercy Apostolate UK this month, working with Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Catholic convert, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate in February, and will be ordained to the priesthood on 16 August. Here is his first monthly “corner” blog. On my…

By the Most Rev. Joseph Roesch, MIC Superior General of the worldwide Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, based in Rome. May 8, 2025 will long be remembered as the day when Pope Leo XIV, the first Holy Father born in the United States of America, had been chosen. I was working in…

Deacon Alexander Pumphrey, MIC, 32, has been assigned to the Divine Mercy Apostolate UK, joining Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Catholic convert, he joined the Marian Fathers in 2018. Last February he was ordained to the transitional diaconate, and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood this year. Deacon Alex takes up his new…