Saints celebrated on the 19th of July
SAINT JOHN PLESSINGTON, PRIEST AND MARTYR
Saint John Plessington [canonised in 1970] is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. After finishing his studies for the priesthood at English College at Valladolid, Spain, he returned to England in 1663 and based himself largely at Puddington Hall, near Burton, Wirral, where he laboured for more than ten years as chaplain to the Massey family and tutor to the children.
"NATIONAL HYSTERIA"
In 1678, however, the pretended revelations of a conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and replace him with his Catholic brother James created national hysteria.
In December that year they claimed their first victim, Edward Coleman, and until July 1, 1681, with the martyrdom of St Oliver Plunket, Catholics were executed in locations all over England. Three witnesses gave false evidence of seeing St John serving as a priest: he forgave each of them by name from the scaffold.
HE FORGAVE EACH OF THEM BY NAME
St John told the crowd thronged around the scaffold that there was not a shred of evidence of treason against him and he was dying solely on account of his priesthood.
With great fortitude, he added: "Bear witness, good hearers, that I profess that I undoubtedly and firmly believe all the articles of the Roman Catholic faith, and for the truth of any of them. By the assistance of God, I am willing to die; and I had rather die than doubt of any point of faith taught by our holy mother the Roman Catholic Church." St John was hanged, drawn and quartered on July 19, 1679 at Boughton Cross.
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of your holy martyr John may by his intercession be delivered from all evils that threaten us. 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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