Saint John Almond
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint John Almond was born in 1577 and ordained in 1598, He was martyred December 5, 1612. Canonised in 1970, he is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He was renowned for his debating skills.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
John Almond was born about 1577. He passed his childhood at Allerton near Liverpool, where he was born, and at Much Woolton, Lancashire. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in Ireland, until he went to the English College in Rome, at the age of twenty.
[edit] Skilled Debater
He concluded his term there brilliantly by giving the 'Grand Act' -- a public defence of theses which cover the whole course of philosophy and theology -- and was warmly congratulated by Cardinals Caesar Baronius and Francesco Maria Tarugi, who presided.
[edit] Return to England
He returned to the dangers of England in 1602 as a secular priest and administered to the faithful there. He was arrested in 1608, and then again in 1612. In November of that year seven priests had escaped from prison, and this may have sharpened the zeal of the persecutors. He displayed to the last a great acuteness in argument, and died with the Holy Name upon his lips.
[edit] Account of his Death
The account of his death describes him as "a reprover of sin, a good example to follow, of an ingenious and acute understanding, sharp and apprehensive in his conceits and answers, yet complete with modesty, full of courage and ready to suffer for Christ, that suffered for him."
[edit] Martyred
John Almond was hanged, drawn, and quartered on 5 December 1612 at Tyburn, England
[edit] Steps To Sainthood
- Beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI
- Canonised 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI.
- His feast day is the 5th December.
- 25 October, Feast Day of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
[edit] References
This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia, so may be out of date, or reflect the point of view of the Catholic Church as of 1913. It should be edited to reflect broader and more recent perspectives.
