SAINT FEAST DAY 10 DECEMBER: ST EUSTACE WHITE

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 10th of December

WELCOME!

SAINT EUSTACE WHITE, PRIEST AND MARTYR

⬅️ Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

Saint Eustace White, was a martyr, born at Louth, Lincolnshire, in 1560; suffered at London, Tyburn, December 10, 1591. 

His parents were heretics, and his conversion resulted in a curse from his father. 

HIS PARENTS DID NOT APPROVE OF HIS CONVERSION TO CATHOLICISM

He was educated at Reims (1584) and at Rome (1586), where he was ordained. He came on the mission in November, 1588, and laboured in the west of England. 

On September 1, 1591, he was betrayed at Blandford, Dorset, by a lawyer with whom he had conversed upon religion.

For two days he held public discussion with a minister, and greatly impressed the Protestants present. 

HE GREATLY IMPRESSED THE PROTESTANTS PRESENT

He was then sent to London, and lodged in Bridwell, September 18, where for forty-six days he was kept lying on straw with his hands closely manacled. 

On October 25 the Privy Council gave orders for his examination under torture, and on seven occasions he was kept hanging by his manacled hands for hours together; he also suffered deprivation of food and clothing. 

On December 6, together with Edmund Gennings and Polydore Plasden, priests, and Sydney Hodgson, Swithin Wells, and John Mason, laymen, he was tried before the King’s Bench, and condemned for coming into England contrary to law. 

HE FORGAVE THEM AND PRAYED FOR THEM

He forgave Topcliffe his cruelties, and prayed for him, and at his execution, telling the people that his only treason was his priesthood, he thanked God for the happy crown to his labours. 

Being cut down alive, he rose to his feet, but was tripped up and dragged to the fire where two men stood upon his arms while the executioner butchered him. With him suffered Polydore Plasden and three laymen. 

Information from Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Eustace confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.