Ice-Cutter. Rat-Catcher. Lamp-Lighter. Bowling-Alley-Pinsetter. Switch-Board-Operator. Knocker-Upper. Jobs From Yesteryear.

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, SHARENATOR

Ice Cutters: These were men who cut the ice from frozen lakes. Once cut up, they would transfer their product to the ice delivery men. These ice cutters worked in extreme conditions. Most of them were happy when more people started using the refrigerator for keeping their food safe.

Rat-Catchers: Keeping the rat population under control was practised in Europe to prevent the spread of diseases to man, most notoriously

The Black Plague, and to prevent damage to food supplies.

Lamplighter: Was a person who would go around the City, at night,

and light all the Lamps by hand. They usually held out a long Pole,

with a Wick on the end, to light the Street Lamps.

Bowling Alley Pinsetter: Before Bowling Alleys had machines to reset their Pins, there were people who did it, called “Pinsetters”. It was typically

a Teenagers job and paid very little.

Illustration: THE VINTAGE NEWS

Telephone operators, Seattle, Washington, U.S., 1952.

According to a City archivist, these were probably Seattle City Light employees.Item 24092, City Light Photographic Negatives

(Record Series 1204-01), Seattle Municipal Archives.

Date: 18 July 2008.

Source: Telephone operators, 1952

This image comes from the Seattle Municipal Archives, via Flickr.

Seattle Municipal Archives

Author: Seattle Municipal Archives,

Seattle, Washington State, United States of America.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Switchboard Operator: Up until three decades ago, Switchboard Operators were important players in the Telecommunications industry. They were needed to make Long Distance Calls and to manage Busy Circuits. But, with the advent of Digitised Telecommunications, Switchboard Operators had to find new jobs. These days, making Long Distance Calls can be done on your Mobile Phone.

Knocker-Upper: A Knocker-Upper's job was to rouse sleeping people,

so they could get to work on time. The Knocker-Upper used a Truncheon, or short, heavy Stick, to knock on the clients' doors, or a long, and light, Stick, often made of Bamboo, to reach windows on higher floors. At least one of them used a Pea-Shooter. In return, the Knocker-Upper would be paid a few Pence (Cents) a week. The Knocker-Upper would not leave a client's window

until they were sure that the client was awake.

“Time to get up !!!”.

Making sure that the Client gets up in time for work.

The Impression Of The Stigmata of Saint Francis. Confessor. Feast Day 17 September.

English: Saint Francis of Assisi.

Polski: Św. Franciszek z Asyżu.

Artist: Cigoli (1559–1613).

Date: 1597-1599.

Current location: Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Source: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,

unless stated otherwise.

The Impression of The Stigmata of Saint Francis.

   Confessor.

   Feast Day 17 September.

Double.

White Vestments.

Two years before his death, Saint Francis retired to Mount Alverno, Italy, where he began a Fast of Forty Days in honour of Saint Michael The Archangel. And lo ! In the midst of his Meditations, he saw a figure, like a Seraphim, with six wings dazzling and burning, whose feet and hands were nailed to a Cross.

Aware that suffering is incompatible with the immortality of a Seraphic Spirit, he understood this to mean that he would become more like Jesus and bear his Cross after Him (Gospel), not by physical Martyrdom, but by a Mystical kindling of Divine Love.

English: Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi, Italy.

Français: La Basilique Saint-François d’Assise

Photo: 7 March 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

And, in order that this Crucified Love might become an example to us all, five wounds, resembling those of Jesus on The Cross, appeared on his feet, hands, and side. From his side, blood flowed abundantly.

The facts were so fully authenticated, later, that Pope Benedict XI ordered them to be Commemorated every year, and Pope Paul V, to kindle in The Faithful The Love of Jesus Crucified, extended The Feast to the whole Church.

Mass: Mihi autem.

Proper Collects.

Gospel: Si quis vult.

Ember Wednesday In September.

Wednesday, 16 September 2020, is Ember Wednesday in September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Ember Wednesday in September.

Station at Saint Mary-Major.

Violet Vestments.

Iona Abbey,

Scotland.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

As on other Wednesdays in Ember Weeks, The Station is held at Saint Mary-Major.

The Prophet Amos had foretold in the 8th-Century B.C., the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel and its coming restoration (Lesson). Later on, indeed, Nehemias and Esdras brought back the captives from Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem.

When this work was completed, they all assembled on the first day of the seventh month, when Esdras read to them The Law of Moses and said: "This is The Holy Day of The Lord, be not sad for The Joy of The Lord is our strength" (Epistle and Communion).

English: Basilica of Saint Mary-Major, Rome,

where The Mass is said on Ember Wednesday in September.

Italiano: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Photo: 23 May 2016.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pierre-Selim Huard

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Wednesday in September Ember Week, which month was formerly, as its name shows, the seventh month of the year in Roman times, recalls this joyous Anniversary, which was a figure of our redemption by Jesus; indeed, the Introit tells us to be thrilled with joy in God our protector.

This joy is accompanied by the Spirit of Penitence expressed in the Violet Vestments used, and The Church Prays that we, depriving ourselves of bodily nourishment, may also abstain from sins of the mind (Collect). The Gospel, indeed, speaks of the impure spirit, which can only be dispelled by Prayer and Fasting.

Having fallen into sin through our weakness, let us Pray and Fast, that God may give a remedy by His merciful help (Collect before The Lesson).

Mass: Exsultáte Deo.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

In The Liturgical Calendar of The Western Christian Churches, Ember Days are four separate sets of three days within the same week — specifically, the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday — roughly equidistant in the circuit of the year, that are set aside for Fasting and Prayer.

These days, set apart for special Prayer and Fasting, were considered especially suitable for The Ordination of Clergy. The Ember Days are known, in Latin, as the “Quatuor Anni Tempora” (the “Four Seasons Of The Year”), or, formerly, as the “Jejunia Quatuor Temporum” (“Fasts Of The Four Seasons”).

The four Quarterly Periods, during which The Ember Days fall, are called The Embertides.

The term “Ember Days” refers to three days set apart for Fasting, Abstinence, and Prayer, during each of the four Seasons of the year. The purpose of their introduction was to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy.

Possibly occasioned by the agricultural feasts of ancient Rome, they came to be observed by Christians for the Sanctification of the different Seasons of the year. James G. Sabak argues that The Embertide Vigils were “ . . . not based on imitating agrarian models of Pre-Christian Roman practices, but, rather, on an eschatological rendering of the year, punctuated by The Solstices and The Equinoxes, and, thus, underscores the eschatological significance of all Liturgical Vigils in the City of Rome.”

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

Available (in U.K.) from

CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

Available (in U.S.A.) from

ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Saint Euphemia. Saint Lucy. Saint Geminianus. Martyrs. Feast Day 16 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Euphemia. Saint Lucy. Saint Geminianus.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 16 September.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

"At Chalcedon," says The Roman Martyrology, "the birth in Heaven of Saint Euphemia, Virgin and Martyr, who was condemned to the wild beasts." This happened in 307 A.D.

"At Rome, The Holy Martyrs Lucy, a noble lady, and Geminianus, who were beheaded by order of Emperor Diocletian, about 300 A.D.

Mass: Intret. Of several Martyrs.

Pope Saint Cornelius And Saint Cyprian. Martyrs. Feast Day 16 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Pope Saint Cornelius And Saint Cyprian.
   Martyrs.
   Feast Day 16 September.

Semi-Double.

Red Vestments.

English: Saint Cornelius. Pope and Martyr.

Deutsch: Ausstattung der ehemaligen Seitenaltäre der Meßkircher

St. Martinskirche, Standflügel: Heiliger Cornelius als Papst und Märtyrer.

Artist: Meister von Meßkirch (1500–1543).

Date: 1535-1540.

Current location: Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany.

Source/Photographer: Eingescannt aus: Anna Moraht-Fromm

und Hans Westhoff:

Der Meister von Meßkirch – Forschungen zur südwestdeutschen

Malerei des 16. Jahrhunderts, Ulm, 1997, S. 190.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Cornelius was a Roman and was Sovereign Pontiff under the Emperors Gallus and Volusian. He had to oppose Novatian, the first Anti-Pope. He took from the Catacomb of Saint Sebastian, where they had rested some forty years, the bodies of the Apostles Peter and Paul and Translated them to the places where they had suffered Martyrdom.

He was arrested by order of the Emperors and beheaded in 253 A.D.

English: Saint Cyprian. Bishop and Martyr.

Deutsch: Ausstattung der ehemaligen Seitenaltäre der Meßkircher

St. Martinskirche, Standflügel: als Bischof und Märtyrer.

Artist: Meister von Meßkirch (1500–1543).

Date: 1535-1540.

Current location: Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany.

Source/Photographer: Eingescannt aus: Anna Moraht-Fromm

und Hans Westhoff:

Der Meister von Meßkirch – Forschungen zur südwestdeutschen

Malerei des 16. Jahrhunderts, Ulm, 1997, S. 190.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Cyprian was a Barrister at Carthage, when he was converted to Christianity. A short time afterwards, he was Ordained a Priest and became Bishop of Carthage. "It would be superfluous," says Saint Jerome, "to speak of his genius, since his works are more brilliant than the Sun."

This illustrious Father of The Latin Church lived in one of the most troublous periods for The Church in Africa. He was Martyred five years after Saint Cornelius on the day when this Holy Pope's remains were Translated to Rome. That explains why their names are united by The Liturgy of The Canon of The Mass (First List).

Mass: Intret. Of Several Martyrs.
Commemoration of The Holy Martyrs: Saints Euphemia, Lucy, and Geminianus.

Saint Nicomedes. Martyr. Feast Day 15 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Nicomedes.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 15 September.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

"At Rome," says The Roman Martyrology, "on The Nomentanian Way, the birth in Heaven of Blessed Nicomedes, Priest and Martyr."

Having said to those who tried to force him to sacrifice: "For me, I only sacrifice to The All-Powerful God, Who reigns in Heaven", he was beaten with thongs covered with Lead and, during this long torture, he gave up his Soul to God.

He died in the First-Century A.D., under the Emperor Domitian.

Mass: In virtúte.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Saint Nicomedes was a Martyr of unknown era, whose Feast is observed 15 September.

The Roman Martyrologium and the historical Martyrologies of Bede and his imitators place the Feast on this date. The Gregorian Sacramentary contains under the same date The Orations for his Mass. The name does not appear in the three oldest and most important Manuscripts of The Martyrologium Hieronymianum, but was inserted in later recensions ("Martyrol. Hieronymianum", ed. G. B. de Rossi-L. Duchesne, in Acta SS., November II, 121). The Saint is without doubt a Martyr of The Roman Church.

He was buried in a Catacomb on The Via Nomentana, near the Gate of that name. Three 7th-Century A.D. Itineraries make explicit reference to his grave, and Pope Adrian I restored the Church built over it (De Rossi, Roma Sotterranea, I, 178-79).

A Titular Church of Rome, mentioned in the 5th-Century A.D., was Dedicated to him (titulus S. Nicomedis). The Feast of The Dedication of his Church on 1 June, alongside the 15 September Feast of his Martyrdom, were included in The Sarum Rite Calendars, but only the 1 June Feast Day was carried over into The Anglican Book of Common Prayer as a “Lesser Holy Day” or “Black-Letter Day”.

Nothing is known of the circumstances of his death. The legend of the Martyrdom of Saints Nereus and Achilleus introduces him as a Presbyter and places his death at the end of the 1st-Century A.D. Other recensions of the Martyrdom of Saint Nicomedes ascribe the sentence of death to The Emperor Maximianus (beginning of the 4th-Century A.D.).

The Seven Sorrows Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Feast Day 15 September.

The Seven Sorrows of The Virgin.

Artist: Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528).

Date: Circa 1496.

Current location: Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany.

Source/Photographer: Web Gallery of Art

(Wikimedia Commons)

Outstanding Missa Cantata From Saint Eugene, Paris, Today, At 1800 hrs (BST), 1700 hrs (UTC), And 1300 hrs (EDT).

Outstanding Missa Cantata

From Saint Eugene, Paris, Today,

At 1800 hrs (BST),

1700 hrs (UTC),

1300 hrs (EDT).

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

G. K. Chesterton.

G. K. Chesterton.

Photo: 4 April 2013.

Source: Crisis Magazine: http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/

new-study-marred-by-old-cliches-about-preconciliar-catholic-writers

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton KC*SG (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was an English writer,[2] philosopher, Lay Theologian, and Literary and Art Critic. He has been referred to as the "Prince of Paradox".[3] Time Magazine observed of his writing style: "Whenever possible, Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out."[4]

Chesterton created the fictional Priest-Detective, Father Brown,[5] and wrote on Apologetics. Even some of those who disagree with him have recognised the wide appeal of such works as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man.[4][6] Chesterton routinely referred to himself as an "Orthodox" Christian, and came to identify this position more and more with Catholicism, eventually converting to Catholicism from High Church Anglicanism.

Biographers have identified him as a successor to such Victorian authors as Matthew Arnold, Thomas Carlyle, Cardinal John Henry Newman, and John Ruskin.[7]

On his contributions, T. S. Eliot wrote:

“He was importantly and consistently on the side of the Angels. Behind the Johnsonian fancy-dress, so reassuring to the British public, he concealed the most serious and revolutionary designs — concealing them by exposure . . . Chesterton's social and economic ideas . . . were fundamentally Christian and Catholic.

“He did more, I think, than any man of his time — and was able to do more than anyone else, because of his particular background, development and abilities as a public performer — to maintain the existence of the important minority in the modern World. He leaves behind a permanent claim upon our loyalty, to see that the work that he did in his time is continued in ours.”[8]

“Please, God. Give Me Strength”.

“Rorate Mass”. Notre-Dame Basilica, Fribourg, Switzerland.

“Rorate Mass”.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Wednesday, 18 December 2019.

Masses are Live-Streamed, daily, from this beautiful Basilica, on LIVE MASS.NET

All Illustrations: FSSP

© Fraternité Sacerdotale Saint-Pierre - fssp.ch

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Rorate Mass is a Votive Mass In Honour of The Virgin Mary during the Season of Advent.

It has a long Tradition in The Catholic Church, especially in German-speaking areas.

The Mass has to begin relatively early in the morning, when it is still dark, due to Winter-Time, and is Said (or Sung) by Candlelight.

The Most Holy Name Of Mary. The Feast Day Is, Today, 12 September.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

The Most Holy Name of Mary.
   Feast Day 12 September.

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

English: William-Adolphe Bouguereau's "L'Innocence".

Both young children and the lamb are symbols of innocence.

Français: Bouguereau — L'Innocence.

Русский: "Невинность", картина Виллиама Бугро.

И маленький ребёнок, и ягнёнок — символы невинности

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

Date: 1893.

Source/Photographer: http://www.illusionsgallery.com

Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Lady Altar,

Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church,

Blackfen, Kent, England.

Date: 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: MULIER FORTIS

The Annunciation.

Artist: Paolo de Matteis (1662–1728).

Date: 1712.

Current location: Saint Louis Art Museum,

Missouri, United States of America.

Source: Own work.

Author: Paolo de Matteis

(Wikimedia Commons)

Just as a few days after Christmas, we celebrate The Holy Name of Jesus, so, after The Nativity of Mary, we glorify her Holy Name. Eight days after The Birth of The Virgin, according to the custom of the Jews, her holy parents, inspired by God, say Saint Jerome and Saint Antoninus, gave her the name of Mary.

Wherefore, during The Octave of The Nativity of Mary, The Liturgy gives a Feast in honour of this Holy Name.

Spain, with the approval of Rome, in 1513, was the first to Celebrate it, and, in 1683, it was extended to the whole Church by Pope Innocent XI to thank Mary for the victory which John Sobieski, King of Poland, had just gained against the Turks, who besieged Vienna and threatened The West.

"The Name of The Virgin," says the Gospel, "was Mary." The Hebrew name of Mary, in Latin "Domina", means "Lady", or "Sovereign"; for the authority of her Son, Lord of The World, makes her a Sovereign from her birth, in fact, as well as in name [Eighth Lesson at Matins].

Whence, as we call Jesus “Our Lord”, we say of Mary that she is “Our Lady”. To pronounce her name is to proclaim her power.

Let us offer The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass to God, to honour The Most Holy Name of Mary and to obtain by her Intercession her continual protection (Postcommunion).

Mass: Vultum tuum.
Preface: Of The Blessed Virgin: Et te in Festivitáte.

English: The Assumption.

Deutsch: Maria Himmelfahrt.

Hochaltar für St. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venedig.

Français: L'Assomption de la Vierge.

Artist: Titian (1490–1576).

Date: 1516-1518.

Current location: Institution:Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.

DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202.

Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

(Wikimedia Commons)

“Oh, Most Holy Maiden Mary”.

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The following Text is taken from CATHOLICISM PURE AND SIMPLE

In accordance with Jewish custom, Our Lady’s parents named her, eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her "Mary". The Feast of The Holy Name of Mary, therefore, follows that of her Birthday, as The Feast of The Holy Name of Jesus follows Christmas.

The Feast originated in Spain and was approved by The Holy See in 1513; Pope Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683, in thanksgiving to Our Blessed Lady for the victory on 12 September 1683 by John Sobieski, King of Poland, over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening The West. This day was commemorated in Vienna by creating a new kind of pastry and shaping it in the form of the Turkish half-moon. It was eaten along with coffee, which was part of the booty from the Turks.

The ancient Onomastica Sacra” have preserved the meanings ascribed to Mary’s name by the Early Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers. “Bitter Sea,” “Myrrh of the Sea,” “The Light Giver,” “The Enlightened One,” “Lady,” “Seal of The Lord,” and “Mother of The Lord” are the principal interpretations. These etymologies suppose that the Hebrew form of the name is Maryãm, not Miryãm.

From the time of Saint Jerome, until the 16th-Century, preferred interpretations of Mary’s name in The West were, “Lady,” “Bitter Sea,” “The Light Giver,” and, especially, “Star of the Sea.” “Stella Maris” was by far the favoured interpretation. The revival of Hebraic studies, which accompanied The Renaissance, led to a more critical appraisal of the meanings assigned to Our Lady’s name.

Miryãm has all the appearance of a genuine Hebrew name, and no solid reason has been discovered to warrant rejecting the Semitic origin of the word. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin, Domina) means Lady, or Sovereign; this Mary is, in virtue of her Son’s Sovereign Authority as Lord of the World. We call Mary "Our Lady", as we call Jesus "Our Lord", and when we pronounce her name, we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection.

The Parish Liturgy Committee Recently Held Their Annual Meeting.

The Parish Liturgy Committee

had their Annual Meeting, recently.

Afterwards, a most enjoyable game of Bingo ensued.

Illustration: UNOFFICIAL ROYALTY

The Secrets Of Oxburgh Hall: Some New Finds At A 15th-Century Catholic House That Kept The Faith.

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,

CATHOLIC HERALD

By: Constance Watson

4 September 2020

It’s a remarkable haul. Last month, more than 2,000 artefacts were unearthed at Oxburgh Hall, a 15th-Century Moated House in Norfolk – some of which provide evidence of secret Catholic Worship from Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

The findings include books, manuscripts, musical scores and off-cuts of clothing that indicate concealed Worship from the 16th-Century, all kept for Centuries in the building, home to The Bedingfeld Family

A Copy of the 1568 edition of “The Kynges Psalmes”, written by Saint John Fisher,

was found hidden in a void at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk, during a re-roofing project.

A fingertip archaeological search under attic floorboards, during a re-roofing project, led to the discovery, one of the largest ever in a National Trust property. The most precious find so far is a fragment from a 15th-Century Illuminated Manuscript.

Anna Forest, The National Trust curator who is overseeing the work, said that “the Text is distinct enough for us to identify it as part of The Latin Vulgate Psalm 39 (Expectans expectavi).”

The National Trust contacted Dr James Freeman, Mediæval Manuscripts specialist at Cambridge University Library. He explained that “the page may be from a Psalter, but its small size – just 8 cm x 13 cm – suggests it once was part of a Book of Hours.”

Anna added that, despite Centuries of concealment, the Gold Leaf and Blue Ink from the Illuminated Initials remains “vibrant”.

Meanwhile, scraps of Handwritten Music – apparently showing a Soprano part – hint at the singing which would have been part of the clandestine Worship at the house.

The Curator, Anna Forest, examines a 15th-Century Illuminated Manuscript

discovered under the floorboards of Oxburgh Hall.

Another intriguing discovery is a fragment from a 1590 edition of a Spanish tale, written in 1420. The Trust points out that Recusants had a special interest in reading Spanish stories, imbued as they were with Catholicism.

These and other items have a deep Historical and Spiritual resonance. In 1559, Queen Elizabeth I’s Act of Uniformity changed everything for The Bedingfeld Family.

Sir Henry Bedingfeld, the occupant of Oxburgh Hall, had been a figure of some political influence under Queen Mary. But the new Act effectively banned the practice of Catholicism by enforcing the English Book of Common Prayer as the set order of Prayer in England.

It also dictated that all of the Queen’s subjects were obliged to go to Church once a week or face financial penalties. Sir Henry could not abide by The Act, which put an end to his involvement with the Tudor Court.

The house became a place where Catholicism could be practised away from the eyes of the authorities – as shown by the Priest-Hole for which the building is well known. The new discovery confirms that The Bedingfeld Family remained true to their Catholic Faith despite the dangers of ostracism and, indeed. persecution, were they to be discovered.

A tiny fragment of 16th-Century Handwritten Music.

It is not the first time that the secrets of Oxburgh Hall have made historians sit up. The author, Dr Linda Porter, told the Catholic Herald that she uncovered a significant document at the house when researching her book “Mary Tudor: The First Queen”: “It is a proclamation in which Mary proclaims herself Queen, days before the actual proclamation in London on 19 July [1553], and it shows how well organised she and her party were, that they felt there was enough support, politically and militarily.

“I am not surprised they found these artefacts there – it is an absolutely fascinating house,” she says. Of the most recent findings, “the most interesting and complete thing that they found is a rather battered collection of Prayers, part of which had been published by Katherine Parr and gathered in one volume.” Katherine Parr was a Protestant but “her original works on choosing and publishing Prayers were from Catholic sources”. This 1568 book, which researchers are now studying, is another sign of The Bedingfelds’ hidden devotion.

Russell Clement, General Manager at Oxburgh Hall, told the Press: “We had hoped to learn more of the history of the house during the re-roofing work, and have commissioned paint analysis, wallpaper research, and building and historic graffiti recording. But these finds are far beyond anything we expected to see. These objects contain so many clues which confirm the history of the house as the retreat of a devout Catholic Family, who retained their Faith across the Centuries.”

He adds that there may well be more to come. “This is a building which is giving up its secrets slowly. We don’t know what else we might come across – or what might remain hidden for future generations to reveal.”