One book, at least, survived the purge of books. As Samuel, Ann, and Max entered the cave and went down to the central large cavern which was heated by underground hot springs to a temperature of about 18C, Columcille noticed an old paperback book stuffed in one of Max's pockets.
"Well, this is interesting," he exclaimed. Max look right at Columcille. "I am here because of this book. I did not know we had it and when I gave over our library to the government years ago, I honestly thought I had passed all the pesky books of Ann and her recusant family on."
They all sat down on old, very old wicker chairs. In another day, long ago, in a conservatory some where, this conversation may have seemed like a group of friends having tea and biscuits. Max continued, "Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, a book of things I hated-religion, myth, ideological history. Then I began to read it. Oh, I found it in a crack in the attic. When I got to the section on Chad, Theodore, and Wilfrid, something happened to me. I saw real men in really hard times being sensible, rational, humble."
Max stopped. Samuel had come back with water for all. Ann sat in the chair looking more vibrant than she had in years.
"When Chad stated that he did not want or desire a bishop's ordination if it were not to be. Suddenly, I saw a man who give up status and even his love for his people for a higher good. I saw that I was never able to do that, that I only wanted status, money, love or rather, admiration. Why could I not be like this Chad? Then for the first time in my life, I said a prayer. I said "God, if you are real, like Ann believes, not only heal her completely but give me this humility which looks manly."
Ann was beaming like a bride. Samuel reached over and touched her hand.
Max continued, "Then, Samuel came in to give Ann a last blessing or whatever. I went downstairs and stood at the end of the bed. Just as Samuel was saying some words of absolution, I honestly felt something envelope me like a huge clear bubble. I then saw Ann for the first time like I have never seen her before-a gift to me, a real gift." Max halted and put his hands to his face.
"I closed my eyes and just said, 'Thank you, God, for Ann.' Then, I heard her call me by name. She was sitting up, looking like my healthy Ann, and she was so happy."
Ann finished the story, "I knew God had given Max new sight. I knew I was healed because of Max's prayer."
Samuel asked Max, "Do you want to be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith, Max, here and now?"
Max stood up, "Yes, what do I have to do?" Samuel took Max to a corner and explained that Max should make a general confession. Max and Samuel talked for about a half-hour. Then, they stood up.
Samuel walked over to the pool of warm water. "Come here, Max."
Max and Samuel took off light shoes and step into the water, "I baptized you, Max Bede, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Then, Samuel and Max went through the sacrament of Confirmation, with Ann as his sponsor.
Samuel said, "Come back tomorrow morning for Mass and receive you First Holy Communion. Take Ann back home and we shall see you tomorrow."
Columcille led the couple to the door, opening and closing the stone door.
He walked back to the warm pool. "Well, one never knows how God works..."
"Book of all kinds are important," answered Samuel.
Samuel reminded Columcille that today was the day to visit the families on the seaside, about eleven miles away. In this place, in this series of caves, the waters of the ocean did not impinge on the underwater springs.
There were about thirty Catholic families in and around Lowestoft. More families came in for Mass when word got around that Samuel and Columcille were coming for confessions and Mass. Many Catholics from other places in East Sussex would find their way from other areas as quietly and as unobtrusively as possible.
Of course, as in the remnant days, the days of trial, one large family in one large house was the known gathering place for the Catholics of East Suffolk. One of these houses was on the coast, a house set up by the Howard Family; a long lost secret was that one of their safe houses still existed on the coast near Lowestoft. This old house had been turned into a museum for awhile, then was a National Trust property. When the National Trust was dissolved, the house moved into the hands of a private family. This family was now Catholic and the confessions and Mass occurred in this small house on the coast.
The Earl of Suffolk, Thomas Howard, left his mark in the area with many people protected over the hundreds of years by the old families, who had all but died out. Tomorrow, Samuel and Columcille would meet a new Thomas Howard, a man of the same name, but not the same lineage, who had agreed to bi-weekly escort the two priests to the small house, called, simply East Beach House. He was the new guide, as the other had mysteriously disappeared.
But, at the end of this day, the two priests would walk inland, towards Diss, an old town, still somewhat isolated, where a few Catholics lived and worked.
Mass would be held in the afternoon on the Lion Road in a small pub. This was a bi-weekly Mass only, and about thirty people would attend that one. Samuel knew all the families well, as his family once had a farm off the Old Bury Road. The parents and the farm were all gone, a long time ago. Samuel came from an old recusant family, his family belonging to an elite group of a few families, about seven, which had not died out, although his was not the "aristocratic" side. A few cousins dotted the Suffolk landscape, and all were strong, active Catholics. Samuel wished, now and then, that the times could be like years ago, when families worshiped freely and could attend all the high holy days together.
One cousin was the very Thomas Howard, who was the priests' guide along the way, as well as cousin to the other Thomas Howard of tomorrow's journey. The Howards seemed to lack creativity in the naming of their boys.
They had to travel very late in the day. There was no curfew in this area, as it was not highly settled. In fact, there were fewer people living here than in the days of the First Earl of Suffolk. Until the late afternoon, both priests would spend the day in Adoration, and in hearing each other's confession, as they always did before this particular trip.
To be continued...