The number of generations which passed since the 1534, which began the great persecution of Catholics, may not be able to be determined in some families, but the Howards had a clear idea. Some of that clan had fallen away to the Protestant side, but most remained faithful and suffered accordingly.
The two Thomases duly entered the small seminary outside of Diss, populated by eight men. Ten seemed like a bumper crop to Samuel, who went three times a week to teach all the necessary courses. Most of the time, the young men memorized the necessary texts for the liturgy and for sacraments.
Their arrival was like bringing springtime into the winter of the Catholic Church. To have Howards, even though from the wrong side of the bed of the original Earl, and to have strong men join the small group encouraged all.
Samuel was ready to send a letter to the one bishop within a several-hundred mile area, the Bishop of Portsmouth, in hiding somewhere in Hampshire, asking to send three young men south for ordination. The Bishop would then decide where they would work, and not necessarily in their own home dioceses.
Several bishops had died and some where in hiding. Some were part of the false, global, schismatic church.
Samuel knew that when he sent off his students to be ordained, he may not see them again.
Two seminarians would travel to a small town near Peterfield, called, Steep, where the Bishop of Portsmouth held a clandestine court, as it were. Bishop Adejola, who was Nigeria on his mother's side and English on his father's. The two seminarians would be escorted by Columcille for the ordinations. Columcille would return alone. As Samuel was telling this plan to the younger priest, he knew it was time to share his growing blindness.
"I must tell you something serious, Samuel. I cannot make this trip if I must come back alone. I am almost blind in one eye with a family disease of macular degeneration. I am so sorry. I cannot say how this is a cross, not only for me but for all of us."
The young priest and Samuel were sitting in the remarkably comfortable sitting room of the small cottage.
Sonja and Aidan were out. Samuel got up and put his hand on Columcille's shoulder. "I knew something was wrong and now I know. I shall go with the two and you stay here. Sonja and Aidan will help you, as this is their life. You can rely on them."
"Samuel, please bless me, as I am afraid." Samuel said, "Benedicat vos Omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus."
He sat down. "Do not be afraid. God is in charge of all of our crosses. I am content to leave with the young men."
Samuel's heart was breaking. Columcille was a son to him. This blindness was a serious blow to the future of this ministry. But, nothing could be done. These two priests were, to their knowledge, the only two working priests in Norfok and East Anglia. And, this would mean that at least one of the new priests would come back to this area. Nothing was to be done.
Columcille felt his uselessness keenly. All his life, he had been a bit manic about activity. The growing blindness at first had been a shock and then a slow, sad realization of a change of life. Columcille was plunged into his Dark Night, in more ways than one.
Samuel also wondered if Columcille should go to the last remaining monastery in England, at Farnborough, which was on the way to Steep. Samuel decided to pray about his good friend to see if this was a peaceful solution. The Abbey was about eight hours from Steep. Much to think about....
Samuel could suggest that Columcille go on a retreat at this one protected abbey-a miracle of events saved this one from destruction. The abbot was the brother of the vice-president of the global government in Greenland. Nothing would happen to that abbey for a long time.
Perhaps a retreat for both of them would be a good idea. The older priest looked at the younger man, who sat with his head in his hands. He thought, here is a man on his way to becoming a saint.
To be continued....