The Feast of Corpus Christi is a special celebration of the Eucharist - the Lord’s Supper- remembering the Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is liturgically celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or*** where the Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not a holy day of obligation, it is assigned to the Sunday after the Most Holy Trinity as its proper day.*** At the end of the Holy Mass there is a procession of the Blessed Sacrament generally displayed in a monstrance -an open or transparent receptacle in which the consecrated Host is displayed for veneration. Corpus Christi wreaths, which are made of flowers, are hung on the doors and windows of the faithful in addition to being erected in gardens and fields. The procession is followed by the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In Rome the Eucharistic procession is presided over by the Pope. In Arundel, England, they have a central aisle of flower heads laid down in a colourful pattern. The institution of Corpus Christi as a feast in the Christian Calender resulted from approximately 40 years of work on the part of Juliana of Liege, a 13th century Norbertine canoness. Source Wikipedia

Joseph William Livesey was an English temperance campaigner, social reformer, local politician, writer, publisher, newspaper proprietor and philanthropist. He engaged energetically in local politics, filled many public posts and was a leader in every kind of philanthropic effort, especially identifying with the teetotal movement. He published a number of publications TheMoral Reformer(1833) which became the* Preston Temperance* (1834-8). This became the* British Temperance Advocate.* Moral Reformer (1838/9) revived. The Struggle(1841) Preston Guardian (1844-1859) established with his sons *Teetotal Progressionist * (1851/2) Staunch Teetotaller (1867-9)

Sue Barker is a former professional tennis player and television presenter. During her tennis career she won 15 WTA tour single titles including the 1976 French Open aged 20. She also won 12 doubles titles. She reached a career high singles ranking of world No. 3 on 20th March 1977. She won her last doubles title in 1982 at Cincinnati and played her last professional match in 1984. Her mentor throughout her career was Arthur Roberts. He began coaching her in 1966 when she was 10 years of age. In 2004, recalling her French Open win in 1976,she said,* I’m still incredibly proud of what I achieved.*** She retired from playing tennis to presenting it! From 1985 until 1990 she became a commentator and sports reporter for Australia’s Channel 7. She then joined British Sky Broadcasting. In 1993 she joined the BBC and was a regular guest on* Today at Wimbledon* with Harry Carpenter. In the 1990’s hosted BBC Wimbledon Highlight show with Pam Shriver. In 1994 took over as host of* Today at Wimbledon*. From 2000 until 2022 she anchored the 2 week long broadcast of the Wimbledon tennis championships for the BBC. Sue had a long broadcasting career. She enjoyed commentating on many sports- from horse racing to the Olympics. - summer and winter. From 1997 until 2020 she presented* A Question of Sport*- a programme which viewers very much enjoyed watching. In 2000 received an MBE for services to sport and broadcasting. In 2016 received OBE for broadcasting and charity. In 2021 received CBE for broadcasting and charity. In 1982 met Cliff Richard. In 1988 married Lance TanKard Autobiography ‘Calling the Shots’ published in 2022. Sources Wikipedia Passing the Torch - Sportswomen who Inspire

Sharron is a former English swimmer who represented GB in the Olympics and European championships. She has attended 12 consecutive Olympics -3 as a competitor and 9 as a commentator. She also competed in the international community spanning 20 years. She learned to swim when she was 6 years of age. By the age of 8 she was training seriously. Aged 11 swam for the British national team. Aged 13 represented GB at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Aged 14 won 2 bronze medals at the 1977 European Championships. Aged 15 won 2 gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the 200 ` and 400 individual medleys. Aged 17 she won a silver medal at the 1980 games in the 400m individual medley Aged 18 ‘called time’ to build her television profile and career in modelling. Aged 27’ returned’ to the pool. Aged 32, in 1994, finally retired having been British champion 22 times , broken 200 British swimming records and held 5 World Masters records( eligible when over 30) When she retired she worked for various media organisations and programmes. (Read* Publications, media programmes and other work*) Given a MBE in 1993 in recognition for her sevices to swimming. In 2005 supported London’s bid for the 2112 Olympics. On BBC’s Question Time made a strong case for bringing the Games to London. She is a patron of the Disabled Sport Rngland and SportsAid. She has her view on trans women.In 2023 criticised Nike for using Dylan Mulvany, a transgengender woman to model their products. There is talk that her silver , won in 1980, could still be turned into gold. The gold medallist, Petra Schneider, from East Germany, has admitted that the victory was drug enhanced.

Clare has close family links with horse racing and between 1988-1993 was a leading amateur flat jockey. In 1990 she was the Champion Lady Rider. She then moved onto commentating on horse racing. She is an English broadcast journalist and author. Her memoir My Animals and Other Family, looking at her life growing up in racing yard won the 2012 National Book award for* Autobiography of the year. She has reported on 7 Olympic Games and presented 5 Paralympic Games. (Read her Broadcasting Career- 30 years covering sport and many other events) She has written columns for* The Sporting Life, Racing Post, Sunday Telegraph, The Evening Standard,* and regularly writes in the Waitrose Weekend. She is now focusing on women’s sport and had a great time doing women’s football show for C4, women’s super League matches for BT Sport, women’s tennis for the BBC and BT. She is a patron for a number of charities (Read* Charitable activities*) She believes strongly that improving coverage and investment in Paralympic and women’s sport will have far reaching benefits In 2013 received OBE for services to broadcasting and journalism. In 2020 appointed ,for 2 years, president of the Rugby Football League. In her tenure she hoped women’s game would turn professional. In 2022 she received a CBE for services to sport and charity. Clare is definitely one of the UK’s renown sports broadcasters. Sources Wikipedia Women in Sport by Rachel Ignotofsky *Passing the Torch Sportswomen who Inspire Mary Peters Trust

John was an English Anglican, Baptist, then Mennonite minister and a defender of the principle of religious liberty. He attended Christ’s College, Cambridge where he became a fellow in 1594 and was ordained for ministry in the C of E the same year. He became a Puritan preacher, then a Separatist pastor, which led to exile in Amsterdam. He became a se-baptist (baptised himself)(c,1609) and set up the first Baptist church(1612) in Britain… He believed in believer’s baptism by immersion not infant baptism. In February 1610 he and other church members wrote to a Mennonite community in Waterland to join their movement. The group earned the name General Baptists because they claimed that Christ died for all men rather than for the elect only. See notes also on Mennonites. The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians Wikipedia

Sergius also known as Sergiy Radonezhsky, Serge of Radonexh and Sergius of Moscow was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. In the village of Varnitsa he received the baptismal name of Bartholomew in honour of the Apostle Bartholomew. H e was an intelligent boy but had a problem with reading. His biography states that a spiritual leader gave him some holy bread (prosphora) to eat and then he was able to read. He was:- Abbott of Radonezh Miracle Worker of all Russia Russian Monastic Reformer Teacher of the Faith The memory of Segius has lived on thanks to the unique manuscript entitled The Life of St, Sergius of Radonezhs written by the famous hagiographer Pachomius the Serb. The original script is housed in the National Library of Russia. He is remembered in the C of E witha commemoration on 25th September.

Peter, the Hermit was a Roman Catholic Priest from Amiens. Pope Urban 11 called for a crusade to liberate the Holy Places (1095)- destination the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem. Peter toured Europe preaching the crusade. He was a key figure during the military expedition from France to Jerusalem, known as the People’s Crusade or Crusade of the Paupers. He was one of the preachers of the armed pilgrimage and leapt to fame as an emotional revivalist. Historians agree that 1000s of serfs and peasants eagerly took the cross at his bid. Some historians think the crusade would have included well-armed soldiers and nobles. The Crusade to the Holy Land began in the spring of 1096. He received permission from Patriarch Simeon 11 of Jerusalem. He recruited from England, Lorraine, France and Flanders. The start was disastrously with the massacre of Jewish civilians ( ReadMassacre of Jewish civilians) They then had to go through Hungary, Belgrade and Sofia. They started in April 1096 with 40,000 men and women from Cologne and arrived in Constantinople with 30,000 by the end of July. (The ‘locals’ were expected to feed the vast host of paupers for the remainders of their journey.)r ( Read Hungary, Belgrade Sofia and Constantinople) During the winter (1096/7), with little hope of securing Byzantine support, the Crusade waited for the armed crusaders as their sole source of protection in completing the pilgrimage. The numbers, to a small degree, were replenished with disarmed , injured or bankrupted crusaders. . After a few rousing speeches Peter now played a subordinate role, The Crusade settled on a military campaign to secure the pilgrimage routes and holy sites in Palestine. When they reached Antioch at the beginning of 1098 he gave a stirring speech before the half-starved Crusaders gained victory over the superior Muslim army besieging the city. In 1099 he appears as the treasurer of the alms at the siege of Arqa. He was leader of he supplication processions around the walls of Jerusalem before it fell and later, within Jerusalem, after the surprising victory at the Battle of Ascalon (August). At the end of 1099 he went to Latakia and sailed for the west. From this time he disappears from the historical records except in his obituary in the chronicle at Neufmoustier Abbey. ( read Later Life) In 1100 he returned to Europe to be the prior at the monastery he had founded in Neufmroutier near Huy. H e died in 1115 and his tomb is in Neufmoustier Abbey.-* His name. He is called Pierre l’Ermite in French. The structure of the name in French unlike in English has led some francophone scholars to treat l’Ermite as a surname rather than a title. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians by Tony Castle

William was born during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) and beheaded during the reign of Charles 1 (1625-1649). William was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles 1 in 1633. and was a key advocate of his religious reforms. He was a highly effective parliamentarian and a key adviser ad policy-maker. He was bishop of Bath and Wells, then London before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury i in 1633 He was a firm believer in episcopalianism -the rule by bishops.* Laudianism refers to liturgical practices designed to enforce uniformity within the C of E as outlined by Charles 1. He was accused of Arminianism - favouring doctrines of the historic church prior to the Reformation. He was opposed to Calvinism. The Long Parliament of 1640 accused Laud of treason. Impeached in the the Grand Remonstrance of 1641 and was imprisonment in the Tower of London. In 1644 he was brought to trial which ended without a verdict. Parliament took up the issue and eventually passed a bill of attainder , under which Laud was beheaded on Tower Hill on 10 th of January 1645. He was buried in the chapel of St. John’s College, Oxford. This was towards the end of the First English Civil War (1642-6) Charles 1 towards the end of his life admitted he had put too much trust in William and warned his son not to rely on anyone else’s judgment. William was born in Reading, Berkshire. Source Wikipedia.

Hugh was the Bishop of Worcester(1535-9) during the Reformation. He became the C of E chaplain to King Edward V1. In his middle 60s he faced a trial on 14th April 1554… He argued, in writing since he was hardly able to sustain a debate at his age, that the doctrines of the real presence of Christ in the mass, transubstantiation and the propitiatory merit of the mass were unbiblical. In 1555 under the Catholic Queen Mary 1 he was tried for his beliefs and teachings. He was burned with Nicholas Ridley at the stake. He became one of the three Oxford Martyrs -Thomas Cramner was the third. It may come in my days,as old as i am, or in my children’s days, the saints shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air, and so shall come down with him again. Hugh Latimer Source Wikipedia

Stephen was considered one of the greatest of the medieval Archbishops of Canterbury. Stephen was an English Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of Canterbury between 1207 and 1228. He was consecrated by the Pope at Viterbo on 17th June 1207. He supported the barons in the struggle with King John. At a council of churchmen at Westminster on 25th August 1213 certain barons were invited to read the charter of Henry 1 and called for its renewal. Stephen’s energetic leadership and the barons’ military strength forced John to grant his seal to Magna Carta -15 June 1215 on Runnymead in Windsor… Stephen is believed to be the one who divided the Bible into the standard modern arrangement of chapters.

Maria’s parents expected her to become a teacher but she wanted to be an engineer. She then decided to become a doctor. In 1896 she became the first female doctor in Italy. She began to work in a clinic with children with learning difficulties and mental illnesses. She came to the conclusion they didn’t need medicine but a better, kinder education including time to play. She went on to become the director of a similar clinic. After the first year she renamed her school Casa dei Banbini - the Children’s House. The first mainstream Montessori school was born. Her first book The Montessori Method was soon translated into 20 languages. She wanted to create an environment where the children could explore and learn at their own pace and encouraged the teachers to stand back and ‘follow that child’. She became a leader in education thinking all around the world. 3 of her thoughts. The child who concentrate is immensely happy. Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed. Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society. 3 times she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize before she died aged aged 81. Sources Herhistory ISBN 978 1 78800 138 0 Katherine Halligan 2018 published by Nosy Crow Wikipedia

John was an English Anglican priest and poet who was one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. Keble College, Oxford was named after him. In 1806 he won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College Oxford. He excelled in his studies and achieved a first-class honours in both English and Latin in 1810. He was ordained in 1816 and became a curate first to his father at Coln St. Aldwyns and then curate in Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire. He became a fellow at Oriel and was a tutor there between 1817-23. On the death of his mother in 1823 he returned to live with his father and two surviving sisters in Fairford, John anonymously published The Christian Year - a book of poems for Sundays and feast days of the Christian year, It appeared in 1827 . The authorship soon became known and in 1831 he was appointed to the Chair of a Poetry at Oxford. The book was very successful - by 1873 when the copyright expired 375,000 had been sold with 158 editions. ( For more of his writings read Other writings) 14 July 1833 he delivered his famous Assize Sermon on National Apostasy. It gave the first impulse to the Oxford Movement, also known as the Tractarian movement. The movement resulted in the establishment of Anglican religious orders for both men and women. ( See notes on Oxford Movement) In 1835 his father died, he married Charlotte Clarke and he became vicar at Hursley in Hampshire. Here he stayed until his death in 1866. John was a brilliant scholar, but self effacing, he was much sought after for his spiritual guidance. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians

Charles Harold Dodd was a Welsh New Testament scholar and influential Protestant theologian. 1912 ordained He was a Congregational minister for 3 years in Warwick before going into academia. 1915 Yates lecturer in N.T. at Oxford 1930 Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and exegesis at the Victoria University of Manchester 1935 Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge 1946 elected fellow of the British Academy 1949 emeritus at Norris-Hulse 1961 appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour He directed the work of the New English Bible translators from 1950. He wrote over 30 books and 5 Journal articles ( See Works). C.H. Dodd died in Goring-on- Thames. aged 89. He is known for promoting ‘realized eschatology ’ - the belief that Jesus’ references to the kingdom of God meant present reality rather than a future apocalypse. Source Wikipedia

Samuel was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He ministered in Hanover County from 1748-1759 followed by a term as the fourth President of Princeton University. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia and one of the earliest missionaries to slaves in the 13 Colonies. A child of deeply religious parents he was named after the prophet Samuel. Unable to afford to send their son o college he was tutored by Rev. Samuel Blair at Faggs Manor, Pennsylvania. Presbytery of New Castle licensed him to preach in 1746. In 1747 he travelled south to minister to minister to religious dissenters against the Anglican church. He eventually led 7 congregations in 5 counties despite frail health from tuberculosis. When his wife Sarah died from a miscarriage in 1747 he too believed he was near death so he threw himself wholeheartedly into his preaching ministry. He advanced the cause of religious and civil liberty. He helped found the Presbytery of Hanover and served as the first moderator. He advocated the educating of slaves , including teaching them to read. Slavery became a major focus of his ministry. You know I have shown a tender concern for your welfare, ever since I have been in the colony and you may ask my own negroes whether I treat them kindly or no, from 1755 sermon by Samuel. In 1753 he took the dangerous trip to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, a fellow minister, to raise money for the College of New Jersey. They stayed for 11 months. Samuel and preached 60 sermons, and together they raised £4,000 .(equivalent to $230,000 today) through church collections. In 1759 the college asked him to be their president. He became the fourth president of what is now known as Princeton University. On New Year’s Day 1761 he preached his last sermon quoting Jeremiah 28 v16. 1 will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shall die.* Almost prophetically Samuel died one month later, on 4th February, from pneumonia. Samuel accomplished much despite his relatively short life. He was one of the major contributors to the Great Awakening - a series of religious revivals which caused America to break away from the Church of England.

Saint Dunstan was an English bishop. e was successively Abbott of Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury, later canonised. His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English church. He was both an artist and a scribe and was skilled in making pictures and forming letters as were other clergy of his age who reached senior rank. He served as an important minister of state, including ‘prime minister’, to several English kings in the 10th century- Kings AEthelstan, Edmund, Eadred, Eadwig, Edgar. Edward and . AEthelred the Unready. He officiated at the coronation of King Edgar. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly 2 centuries having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness. He lived to the age of 79. His final word are reported to be He hath made the remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: he hath given food to them that fear him. Source Wikipedia

John was a British Baptist Nonconformist minister and politician who became famous as the advocate of passive resistance to the Education Act of 1902. In 1858 he was called to the Praed Street chapel in Paddington, London. Whilst there he went to the university of London gaining 4 degrees (BA, BS, MA and BL 1859-66) At the Praed Street chapel he gradually obtained a large following and in 1877 Westbourne Park was opened. He became a preacher , writer, propagandist and an ardent Liberal politician, he became a power in the Nonconformist body He held a number of important Nonconformist roles 1879 president of the London Baptist Association 1888 & 1899 president of the Baptist 1898 president of the National Council of Evangelical Churches 1899 became a prominent campaigner against the Boer War president of the Stop the War Committee. 1902 Education Act. John was the chief leader of the passive resistant movement. 1906 January - had a share in the defeat of the Unionist Government Efforts now directed to getting a new act which should be nondenominational. In 1883 rewarded an honorary DD by Bates College, USA, and then known as Dr Clifford

,Margaret Clitherow , known as ‘the Pearl of York’ , was pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea to the charge of harbouring Catholic priests. To be ’ pressed to death’ meant having a door being put over the top of the accused and the door loaded with an immense weight of rocks and stones. This was the standard inducement to force a plea. Margaret converted to Roman Catholicism in 1574. Her husband paid her fines for not attending the Established church. In 1577 she was imprisoned for not attending church. 2 further incarcerations followed at York Castle. Their son William was born in prison. The Act of 1584, by the Jesuits, made it a capital offence to harbour and maintain priests. Margaret had 2 chambers-one next to their house and a second in rented house some distance away. Local tradition holds she also housed some priests in the Black Swan where the Queen’s agents lodged! These 3 chambers became important hiding place for fugitive Roman Catholic priests in the north of England. There Mass was celebrated through the thick of the persecution. In 10 th March 1586 the house was searched. A frightened boy revealed the location of the priest hole. She was arrested and called before the York assizes. She refused to plea. She was sentenced to death. She died on 25th March 1586 She was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius X1 and canonised by Pope Paul V1 on 25th October 1970 among the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales… Saint Margaret’s shrine is as 35/6, The Shambles, in York. Source Wikipedia

Saint Piran was a 5th century Cornish abbot and saint, possibly of Irish origin. He is the patron saint of tin-miners and generally regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. He was reportedly executed by Theodoric or Tador, King of Cornwall in 480 AD. His feast day is popular in Cornwall.The largest St. Piran’s Day event is the march across the dunes to St. Piran’s cross which 100s of people attend, generally dressed in black, white and gold, and carry the Cornish flag. Daffodils also feature in celebrations in Truro.

Saint Clare was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He inspired her to form the Order of Poor Ladies - a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Aged 12 her parents wanted her to marry a young wealthy man. She protested and sought the help of Francis. On 20th March 1212 she had her hair cut short and had her rich gown replaced by a plain robe. Cutting her hair was a symbolic act showing she was no longer bound by the laws of man or society but rather she followed the will of God, She was then placed with Benedictine nuns in San Paula, near Bastia. Her parents and Monaldo- Clare’s uncle and head of the family, did not accept willingly what had happened. Catarina, her sister, who changed her name to Agnes, joined her. - this caused a tremendous uproar. They finally relented when Clare threw aside her veil to reveal her cropped hair that they left her in peace. ( For more detail read* Life in the convent*) The sisters remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built next to the church of San Damiano. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. The nuns were barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.town of Assisi were attacked For a short time the order was directed by Francis. In 1216 Clare reluctantly accepted the role of abbess at San Damiano. Clare was a shy person and did not like giving orders and referred to herself as a mother, handmaid or servant rather than an abbess, She took care of Francis during his final illness (he died in1226). 1240/1 the monastery at San Damiano and the town of Assisi attacked and successfully defended as Clare prayed to Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Clare wrote the rules for Rule of Life which meant they followed a rule of strict poverty. This was the first set of monastic guidelines written by a woman. In her later years she had a long period of poor health. She died on11th August 1253 at the age of 59, one day having her Rule approved by Pope Innocent 1V. Her last words, to herself, are reported to be Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be You, O God, for having created me. After her death the order was renamed the Order of Saint Clare. (Read Legacy) Source Wikipedia