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BL. EDWARD WATERSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 8 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 8th of January

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BLESSED EDWARD WATERSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR

[Blessed Edward Waterson was] born at London; martyred at Newcastle-on-Tyne, January 7, 1594 (1593 old style).]

HE REJECTED THE OFFER WITH HORROR

A romantic episode marks this martyr’s early career, for as a young man he travelled to Turkey with some English merchants, and attracted the attention of a wealthy Turk, who offered him his daughter in marriage if he would embrace Moslemism. Rejecting the offer with horror, Edward Waterson returned westward through Italy and, coming to Rome, was there reconciled to the Catholic Church by Richard Smith, afterwards Bishop of Chalcedon. 

THE PILGRIM-BOOK RECORDS HIS STAY THERE

The Pilgrim-book of the English College records his stay there, November 29 - December 11, 1588. 

HE WENT TO REIMS TO STUDY FOR THE PRIESTHOOD

He then went to Reims to study for the priesthood, arriving there January 24, 1589. He received the tonsure and minor orders on August 18, 1590, subdiaconate on September 21, 1591, diaconate on February 24, 1592, and the priesthood March 11 following. 

HE RETURNED TO ENGLAND

On June 24 he returned to England, with such zeal for the missions that he declared to his companions that if he might have the Kingdom of France to stay there till the next midsummer he would rather choose to go to England.

Though he was not learned, his humility, sprit of penance, and other virtues caused him to be regarded as a pattern.

Captured at midsummer, 1593, he was cruelly treated in prison till his execution.

MIRACULOUS HAPPENINGS AT THE EXECUTION

Incidents occurred at the martyrdom of a miraculous nature. The horses were unable to drag the hurdle to the scaffold and the ladder was mysteriously agitated by invisible means, till the martyr signed it with the cross. 

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Edward 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.







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