I just finished Evelyn Waugh’s Edmund Campion: A Life (Ignatius Press, of course). This book is a must-read for the convinced Anglo-Catholic. It is a terrible reminder that the Elizabethan Settlement carried with it a rage against the Mass, which is difficult to explain. This book tells the story of the Oxonian Edmund Campion who refuses the promised glories of Protestant England, flees his homeland and eventually becomes a Jesuit on the Continent. He returns to England to do three things: preach the Roman Faith, hear confessions, and say the Mass in secret. He was successful for just over a year until he was captured. He was taken to London where he was constantly beaten, being racked at least thrice, and spent the rest of his time in dark solitary confinement. He was a few times brought out to debate theology with Anglican divines. He fared pretty well considering his joints were pulled out of socket, he was tired, and had no notes or books on which to depend. He was falsly convicted for treason on account of spurious rumors of Spanish invasion and his “obvious” connection to such schemes.

I couldn’t put it down and read it all in almost one sitting. Buy it now at Amazon.com by clicking here.