Marianne Dorman's Homepage

Whilst I was living in Oxford I began my writing career beginning with a series of daily meditation books, titled The Coming of Christ, Living Lent, and The Paschal Life. These books have many quotations from the writings of the Fathers such as Augustine, Basil, Gregory of Nazianus, and Bernard; the great saints such as Francis, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp; the mystics, including Johh of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton and Hildegard, and the Caroline Divines in England: Lancelot Andrewes, John Donne, Mark Frank, Jeremy Taylor,Henry Hammond, Anthony Farindon and John Evelyn. I also edited Lancelot Andrewes' Liturgical Sermons in a two volume set. These sermons were given mainly at the Jacobean Court at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost from 1605 -1625. Another small book published is an arrangement of George Herbert's poems for the Christian Year, titled A Life of Glory. These are still available by e-mailing me. Refer to My Books on this website.

My book on Lancelot Andrewes: the Mentor of Reformed Catholicism in the Post-Reformation Church in England, based on my doctorate has been published as well as a smaller work called Andrewes, the Perennial Preacher of the Post-Reformation English Church. and a larger work, Lancelot Andrewes: Teacher and Preacher. The last is a transcript of Lambeth Palace Ms. 3707 with notes and cross references to other works of this divine.

Published by Wheatmark towards the end of 2007 was a revised edition of "Living Lent";. in 2008 my book on Mark Frank - his times, theology and sermons, and "Angels Rejoice: The Christ Has Come" - a book of daily meditations from Advent to Lent.. In 2009 "Angels Welcome" was published followed by Seven Whole Days To Praise Our God. This is an enlarged version of The Life Of Glory with an appendix on the Ferrar Community. In 2010 my three volume set for Ordinary Time, Angels Celebrate was published. Refer to my Books for more details.

These days I spend my time living between Whidbey Island in north-west America, close to the Canadian border and Australia and occasional visits to Oxford, a city I love, and where I spent many happy years.

On Whidbey Island with so much natural beauty with its natural vegetation and surrounded by water and mountains it is just the place for contemplation. Here I do most of my writing but much of my time is also given to pastoral ministry to the homebound and the sick. I lead a bible study and join Fr. Paul Pluth in leading Quiet Days occasionally at St. Mary's. Coupeville, the centre of the island. Here I am also a lector and eucharistic and pastoral minister.

As a Benedictine oblate attached to the monastery of Tanglewood at Freeland, I particpate in events at this monastery regularly, some of which I lead.

Wherever I am in the world, my day starts with the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving and meditation and going to Mass.

My research work for my Ph.D. took me to London often where I spent many hours in libaries such as Lambeth Palace and the British Museum. Of course I visited London often for other reasons such as going to art galleries, musuems, concerts, lectures and worship. For the last my very favourite place was Westminster Cathedral. It was always a joy to enter this cathedral that was used for which it was built - prayer. Next door was St. Paul's bookshop where I also spent many hours perusing over books and music.

Whilst in England I was fortunate to visit Tewksbury Abbey frequently for its Musica Sacra in August, Edginton Church for its annual music festival, SS. Alban and Serguis' Annual Conferences, The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Annual Conferences, Holy Week retreats at Boxgrove, Lancelot Andrewes' days at Bishopsbourne, Fareham, Thomas Traherne's festivals at Credenhill, History Association conferences, Reformation Society's conferences in Cambridge and other study days. Stratford-upon-Avon saw me often to enjoy so many productions. I think my very favourite was the Sophocles' trilogy. I was so blessed to have had these opportunities.

Living in Oxford meant I was close to the continent. Again I was blessed to make many trips. Each year I always walked in the Tryol usually in June. In Kitzbuhel I stayed with a beautiful Austrian family who have remained friends. I also visited Switzerland often, and not so often Germany, Italy, France, and Poland. I have many happy memories of snow peaked mountains, lakes, cathedrals, art, sculptures, hospitality, fast traffic, and kindnesses of local people.

All my family live in Australia. As well as my siblings I have one wonderful son, Francis Martin. One of his talents is his singing and he has been a member of the choir of St. Laurence, Sydney and Coro Innominata.

My latest joy in life is the birth of my first grandchild, Lucy Irene, child of light and peace, to my son Francis and his wife Martha. She is of course beautiful and has brought joy to so many. Lucy is now two years old, has a corgi and has moved to the country near Mudgee with her Mum and Dad to grow up in fresh air and an appreciation of the rhythm of the natural and God given world.

After becoming a committed Christian in my teens, I have with God's grace tried to live the Catholic way of life. It is indeed a wonderful life and I have always been so grateful to Fr. John Hope at Christ Church St. Laurence, Sydney who taught the Catholic Faith in its fulness in preaching, celebrating the sacraments and in caring for the poor and disadvantaged.

I have spent my life in education. My first two diplomas were in Theology and Christian Education, which meant I taught Religious Education in schools and parishes. Afterwards for many years I taught English and History (was the co-ordinator from 1973-1985) at St. John's College, Dubbo, in Australia. During that time I began my university studies at New England University, Armidale and continued during my years in Oxford where I studied in depth the eccelsiastical history of the English Church from 1558- 1662. I came to admire mostly those whom we know as the Caroline divines. It was here that I began to write seriously and to be published.

My 12 years living full time in Oxford were happy ones and full of interesting activities besides studying for my Ph.D and meeting wonderfu people. I was indebted to many, some of whom were Dr. Rowan Williams, who became bishop of Monmouth not long after my arrival, then Archbishop of Wales, and of more recent times Archbishop of Cantaur. May the Holy Spirit always guide him in this most responsible position;. Canons Allchin and Fenton; Frs. Michael at Magdalen College and St. Barnabas and Fr. Mark at Merton. I am also very grateful to Michael Rowett who helped me so much in my writing as well as for his friendship.

I spent a lot of my time in the Bodleian Library and I owe many thanks to the help and friendship of the staff. Indeed it was like a second home in Oxford as I worked on my Ph.D..

However my most uplifting moments were in the chapels of some of the Colleges such as Merton and Magdalen, and in churches such as St. Barnabas and St. Mary Mags. I also enjoyed worshipping at Christ Church Cathedral and Pusey House. Another church I visited often, sometimes just to pray was SS. Gregory and Augustine, not far from where I lived in Water Eaton Road, North Oxford. I loved this little church.

One of the things I treasure mostly from my time in Oxford was to be involved in Ecumenism. Marantha began while I was there, and I am still committed to its cause for Christian Unity and making Christianity a voice in to-day's world. As a member of the SS. Alban and Sergius Society it too gave me a deeper appreciation of the Orthodox tradition. Indeed I spent many hours worshipping in the beautiful Orthodox Church in Canterbury Road. I also spent many a day at the St. Theosevia Centre next to the church at workshops and study days.

While living in Oxford I welcomed visitors from Australia and took them on my tour of Oxford that always included the Addison Walk, Christ Church Meadows, the Park and the meadows. I always took them to some of the colleges and the cathedral to listen to heavenly music and worship.