Venerable ALEXANDER CROWE, priest, 1587

SATAN THWARTED

A BOOTMAKER in York, he became a servant at the Seminary at Rheims, and for his virtues and diligence was admitted as a Student, and finally ordained priest. He arrived on the English Mission in 1584, and after nearly two years’ labour was arrested at South Duffield, where he had gone to baptize a child, and sentenced at York. On the night before his execution he was seen by a Catholic fellow-prisoner who shared his cell to be wrestling as it were in agony with some unseen foe, whilst he prayed continuously. At length he broke out with joy into the “ Laudate Dominum,”

and sank exhausted on his plank bed. He said he had been assaiied by the Evil One in a monstrous form, who assured him that his soul was lost, and urged him to take his life at once and not wait for the gallows. He was in the greatest strait when Our Lady and St. John the Evangelist appeared and put Satan to flight. Yet on the gallows the Evil One made a last final assault, and flung him off the« ladder. Though the fall was from a great height, the martyr rose unhurt, and, smiling, re- mounted the ladder and won his crown, 1587.

“Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk, and tread under foot the lion and the dragon.”—Ps. xc. 13.

+ Saint CUTHBERT MAYNE Priest, 1577

FIRST FRUITS

Biography

WHEN Protestant chaplain at St. John's College, Oxford, he was nearly arrested on account of an intercepted letter from Douay urging him to go there. After an interval of three years he arrived there in 1573, and in 1576 was welcomed as a priest in Mr. Tregian's house in Cornwall, where he passed as his steward. On June 8, 1577, High Sheriff Greville surrounded the house with some hundred men, and in seizing the martyr struck his hand against something hard, and asked him if he wore a coat of mail. On tearing open his clothes an Agnus Dei was discovered hanging from his neck in a case of silver and crystal. In his indictment the fourth article charged him with having brought into the Kingdom a vain and superstitious thing called an Agnus Dei, blessed, as they say, by the Bishop of Rome, and having delivered the same to Mr. Francis Tregian. There was no proof in support of any of the charges against him, but he was nevertheless sentenced to death. After five months' imprisonment amongst the lowest criminals, he suffered at Launceston, November 29, 1577. On the eve of his execution a bright light filled his cell, as a harbinger of the Proto-martyr of Douay on receiving his crown.

"The first fruits to God and the Lamb."— Apoc. xiv. 4.

Shrine in Lauceston

Blessed JAMES THOMPSON, priest, 1582

THE MARTYRS' SHRINES

BORN in or near York, he was a devout Catholic, and was deprived of a pension which he had, owing to his fidelity to the old religion. With the desire of consecrating his life to God he went over to Rheims in the summer of 1580, but feil so ill that his life was despaired of. He, however, begged Dr. Allen to allow him to be ordained without delay, as he believed God in- tended to employ him on the English Mission. A dispensation was therefore obtained from Rome, and he received all the Sacred Orders within twelve days, in May i58i,though he was so ill that he could scarcely stand. He re- gained sufficient strength to proceed to England, but \fras arrested in the city of York, August 11, 1582, after scarcely a year’s apostolate. He confessed that he was a priest, and refused the oath of Supremacy or to fight against the Pope. He was led to the Castle prison in double irons on November 25, was tried and con- demned, and on November 28 suffered at York Tyburn.

In her visits to his grave and that of the other martyrs under the gallows, Margaret Clitheroe found strength for her own passion.

“And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours and conducted them in a wonderful way, and was to them for a covert by day and for the light of the stars by night”— WISDOM x. 17.

Blessed James Thomson, Priest, 1582

THE MARTYRS' SHRINES

BORN in or near York, he was a devout Catholic, and was deprived of a pension which he had, owing to his fidelity to the old religion. With the desire of consecrating his life to God he went over to Rheims in the summer of 1580, but fell so ill that his life was despaired of. He, however, begged Dr. Allen to allow him to be ordained without delay, as he believed God intended to empfoy him on the English Mission. A dispensation was therefore obtained from Rome, and he received all the Sacred Orders within twelve days, in May 1581, though he was so ill that he could scarcely stand. He regained sufficient strength to proceed to England, but was arrested in the city of York, August 11, 1582, after scarcely a year's apostolate. He confessed that he was a priest, and refused the oath of Supremacy or to fight against the Pope. He was led to the Castle prison in double irons on November 25, was tried and condemned, and on November 28 suffered at York Tyburn. 

In her visits to his grave and that of the other martyrs under the gallows, Margaret Clitheroe found strength for her own passion.

"And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours and conducted them in a wonderful way, and was to them" for a covert by day and for the light of the stars by night."— WISDOM x. 17.

Venerable GEORGE ERRINGTON, layman and Companions, 1596

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

GEORGE ERRINGTON, Gentleman, William Knight and William Gibson, Yeomen, were in prison at York Castle for recusancy.

Confined there also, for some misdemeanour, was a Protestant minister, who, to reinstate himself in the favour of his superiors, took the following treacherous course. He professed to the Catholic prisoners his sincere repentance for his previous life, and his desire of embracing the Catholic faith. They believed him sincere, and directed him when he was set free to Mr. Abbott, a zealous convert, who endeavoured to procure a priest to reconcile him, and took him to Squire Stapelton's house for this purpose, but in vain. The minister, having now evidence enough to bring them within the law, accused them to the magistrate, and thus displayed his zeal for the Protestant religion. They were all arraigned for high treason in persuading the minister to be reconciled to the Church of Rome. At the bar they confessed "that they had, according to their capacity, explained to the traitor the Catholic faith, but had used no other persuasion." Upon this they were found guilty, and suffered with joy, November 29.

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing,, but inwardly ' they are ravening wolves."—MATT. vii. 15. 344

Blessed MARMADUKE BOWES, layman, 1585

THE HOUSE OF ZACCHEUS

A Yorkshire gentleman, believing in his heart the Catholic faith, from fear of losing goods and liberty he would at times conform and go to the Protestant Church. Thus he led for long a miserable life, inwardly a Catholic, yet outwardly professing those very heresies which his soul detested. Notwithstanding, however, his schismatical dissembling, one grace he had, he never would close his doors to a priest whatever the cost might be, doubtless believing that by such works of mercy he might himself find in the end mercy at God’s hands. And so it proved. A young Catholic who had been schoolmaster to his children apostatised under torture, and became a fanatical informer bent upon the destruction of Catholics. He then accused Mr. Bowes of harbouring priests contrary to the statute, and both Mr. Bowes and his wife were imprisoned at York, but were released under bond of reappearance. At the next Assizes, on the evidence of the schoolmaster alone, Mr. Bowes was condemned, and in the three days before his execution he was reconciled to the Church and suffered boldly, professing his faith, and desiring that his death might be accepted in some measure in satisfaction for his profession of schism.

St THOMAS MORE, layman, 1535

A DAUGHTER'S FAREWELL

His daughter awaited his return to the Tower on the entrance by the wharf. As soon as she saw him,

after his blessing upon her knees reverently received, she, hasting towards him, without consideration or care of herself, pressing in amongst the midst of the throng and company of the guard, that with halberds and bills went round about him, hastily ran to him, and there, openly, in sight of them, embraced him, took him about the neck and kissed him. Who, well liking her most natural and dear daughterly affection towards him, gave her his fatherly blessing and many godly words of comfort besides. She was not able to say any words but “ Oh, my father! Oh, my father!” “Take N patience, Margaret,” he said, “ and do not grieve; God has willed jt so. For many years -didst thou know the secret of my heart.” From whom after she was departed, like one that had forgotten herself, being all, ravished with the entire love of her father, having respect neither to herself nor to the press of people, suddenly turned back, ran to him as before, and divers times kissed him lovingly, till at last she was fain to depart, the beholding whereof made those present for very sorrow to weep and mourn.

“Going, they went and wept, casting their seeds ; but coming, they shall come with joyfulness carrying their sheaves.”—Ps. cxxv. 6, 7.

St THOMAS MORE, Layman, 1535

ALONE WITH GOD

“Now when he .had remained: in the Tower little more than a; month, my wife, longing to see her father, by her earnest suit at length got leave to go unto him. At whose coming, after the Seven Psalms and Litany said (which whensoever she came unto him, ere he fell

in talk of any worldly matter he used accustomably to say with her), among other communications he said unto her, ‘I  believe, Meg, that they have put me here ween that they have done me a high displeasure ; but I assure thee, on my faith, mine own good daughter, if it had not been for my wife and ye that be my children, 1 would not have failed. long ere this to have closed myself in as strait a room, and straiter too. But since I have come hither without mine own desert, I trust that God of His goodness will discharge me of my care, and with His gracious help supply my lack among you. I find no cause, I thank God, Meg,.to reckon myself in worse case here than at  home, for methinks God maketh me a wanton, and setteth me on His lap, and dandleth me.”’

“i will allure her and lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart.”—Osee ii. 14

+ Bishop PATE of WORCESTER, 1565

WASTED AWAY

He was the nephew of Longland, the Courtier Bishop of Lincoln, confessor to Henry VIII, and was made by him Canon and Archdeacon of his Cathedral, even before taking his degree at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Through his uncle’s influence he was sent as Ambassador to Charles V in Spain. Recalled to England in 1537, he accepted the Royal Supremacy, and in 1540 returned as Ambassador to Charles. Though his desire to please the King led him into schism, Henry secretly mistrusted him, and recalled him to England- Pate fled to Rome, and was attaindered. In Rome he was fully reconciled to the Church, and nominated to the See of Worcester by Paul III in 1541, and assisted as one Of two English bishops at the Council of Trent. On Mary’s accession he returned to England, and took possession of his See. Under Elizabeth he voted in the first Parliament against every anti-Catholic measure, and made reparation for his previous fall by refusing to take the oath. He was imprisoned in the Tbwer, and then for a year and a half placed under the custody of Jewel, September 1563, at Salisbury, and finally recommitted to the Tower, where he died of his sufferings after six years’ confinement, November 23, 1565.

“ Because I was silent my bones grew old, whilst I cried out all the day long. I have acknowledged my sin to Thee.”—Ps. xxxi. 3, 5.

St ROBERT SOUTHWELL SJ, 1595

WILLING SACRIFICES

He thus describes the condition of his fellow Catholics, priests and laity : “ As yet we are alive and well, being unworthy, it seems, of prisons. We have oftener sent than received letters from your parts, though they are not sent without difficulty, and some we know have been lost. The condition of Catholic recusants here is the same as usual, deplorable and full of fears and dangers, more especially since our adversaries have looked for wars. As many of ours as are in chains rejoice and are comforted in their prisons; and they that are at liberty set not their hearts upon it nor expect it to be of long continuance. All, by the great goodness and mercy of God, arm themselves to sufifer anything that can come, how hard soever it may be* as it shall please our Lord, for whose greater glory and the Salvation of their souls they are more concerned than for any temporal losses. A little while ago they apprehended two priests, who have suffered such cruel usages in the prison of Bridewell as can scarce be believed. What was given them to eat was so little in quantity, and withal most filthy and nauseous.”

“Then said I, Behold I come to do Thy will, O my God.”—Ps. xxxix. 7, 9.

Saint EDMUND CAMPION, 1581

“While the jury considered of their verdict, there then happened a thing, which all the Catholics of the time regarded as a miracle. Judge Ayliffe was sitting to keep the place, when the other judges retired. While the jury consulted about the condemnation of Father Campion and his company, the judge, pulling off his glove, found all his hand and his seal of arms bloody, without any token of wrong, pricking, or hurt; and being dismayed therewith, wiping, it went not away, but still returned ; he showed it to the gentlemen who sat before him, who can be witnesses of it till this day, and have some of them upon their faith and credit avouched it to be true. The portent indeed spoke the truth, for the divers wise and well-learned lawyers and others, conjecturing and conferring one with another what should be the verdict, they all agreed that, whatever might be concluded as to some of the rest, it was impossible to condemn Father Campion. But it was Father Campion that especially was designed to die, and for his sake the rest; and therefore no defence could serve : and the poor jury did that which they understood was looked for at their hands, and brought them in all guilty.” .

"The Lord detesteth hands that shed innocent blood.”—Prov. vi. 16, 17. ,

Bishop TUNSTALL of DURHAM, 1559

LIFELONG REPENTANCE

Erasmus described him as a man of most exquisite judgment both in Greek and Latin literature, but at the same time of incredible modesty and of sweet and joyful manner. B. Thomas More, who had been educated with him, declared that “ the world scarce contained anv one of greater learning, prudence, or goodness." Yet he failed where More stood firm, and under Henry VIII took the oath of Supremacy, and defended himself to Pole on the ground that the Pope’s supremacy was not so certain a matter as to die for. Pole replied, Your friends Fisher and More were of not so vile a mind as not to know why they died. God send you a livelier spirit in His honour.” He atoned, how-ever, for his weakness under Edward VI by his Opposition to the new Protestanttsm, and was sent to the Tower. Restored to his See of Durham under Mary, and strengthened and pardoned by the blessing of Christ's vicar, he ardently repaired the havoc caused by schism in his diocese. Summoned by Elizabeth to take the oath, he refused, and on his arrival in London, after a week’s journey, was deposed, and died imprisoned under Clark at the age of eighty-five, November 18, 1559.

To depart from iniquity pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice is an entreaty for sin ECCLUS. xxxv. 8.

Coughton Court, Warwickshire

"In the cold early hours of November 6th, 1605 Thomas Bates, servant to Robert Catesby, rode over the moat bridge of Coughton Court and climbed the stairs to the Drawing Room on the first floor of the Gatehouse, with its wide view of the surrounding countryside.

The group of people he found there were all closely involved in the then illegal Catholic community and were all used to danger and the fear of discovery. But what they were about to hear meant peril beyond anything they had experienced, and was to change their lives forever.

There were two Jesuit priests - Father Henry Garnet, who had celebrated a clandestine mass for the Feast of All Saints in the house just a few days before, and Father Oswald Tesimond, the confessor to Robert Catesby. There was the family of Sir Everard Digby who had rented the house, Nicholas Owen, the famous priest-hide builder, and finally the Vaux sisters who aided Father Garnet, and who were related to the Throckmorton owners of the house, to Bates' master Robert Catesby, and to several of the men they were about to hear of.

Thomas Bates did not have good news. He had to tell those gathered there of the details of the Gunpowder Plot, the plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, of its failure, and that the conspirators included Robert Catesby, Sir Everard Digby, and the Wintour brothers among others, were now all running for their lives.

Lady Digby was overcome with distress at the danger her young husband found himself in, while Father Garnet was angered at such an action that he had warned against in principle, and in failure could only mean extreme hardship for the already beleaguered Catholic community.

The Mass the martyrs died for