I write from England – to be precise from the business centre in a hotel in London’s Mayfair, a stone’s throw from the American Embassy. In an hour or so we leave for Storrington Priory in Sussex to continue the filming of a documentary film about the great Catholic poet Francis Thompson. Thus far we have filmed at his grave at Kensal Green cemetary in north London, at the house in which he was born and the church in which he was baptized in Preston in Lancashire, and at various locations in London with which he is associated. We have also interviewed a professor of literature at Lancaster University, who is an expert on Thompson, and a leading authority on the use of laudanum in Victorian England. This is proving to be a great adventure!

During my two visits to Kensal Green cemetary this week, I have been struck by the tragic neglect of Thompson’s grave, which is in disrepair and is almost covered with ivy. I also tried in vain to find the graves of Lionel Johnson, another great Catholic poet, or of Sax Rohmer, the novelist and creator of the character, Sexton Blake, who’s grave is adjecent to Johnson’s. This neglect by England of her true Christian heritage is tragic but not surprising. I am reminded, however, of the neglect of G. K. Chesterton back in the 1970s when I first discovered him. Nobody was reading him or quoting him in those dark ages. Now there is a veritable Chesterton Revival. I hope and pray that this documentary on which we’re working will help to resurrect the reputation of Francis Thompson and I invite visitors to the Ink Desk to join me in praying for the success of this film project so that it may bear much fruit.