+ Venerable THOMAS BULLAKER, OSF, 1642
FIRE FROM HEAVEN
Biography
"I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be enkindled ?"—LUKE xii. 49
Biography
Son of a well-known Catholic physician at Chichester, he was sent to St. Omer's, and thence entered the Franciscan Order in Spain. He first offered himself for the Mission in the West Indies, but England being pointed out as a richer field for his labours, thither he went. On landing at Plymouth he was arrested and imprisoned, and his sufferings then endured affected his health for the remainder of his life. As nothing could be proved against him, he was discharged, and for eleven years laboured in the country. The heroic sufferings of Father Ward enkindled in him, however, a holy envy, and he obtained leave to remove to London. He chose that part of the city where he was most in peril, but his hope for martyrdom was constantly deferred. Pursuivants came to his house, but would not take him, though he declared himself a priest. The next day they returned, and, though his Breviary was on the table, they left without arresting him. Deeming himself unworthy of the crown, he redoubled his prayers and tears, and was arrested on Sunday, September 11, 1642, at the beginning of his Mass, and to his great joy was executed at Tyburn, October 12, 1642.
"I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be enkindled ?"—LUKE xii. 49
Ignem veni mittere in terram.
The motto over the High Altar of the English and Welsh College in Rome.
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