Saints celebrated on the 31st of May
BLESSED THOMAS WATKINSON, MARTYR
A native of Yorkshire, England, Blessed Thomas Watkinson was a devout Catholic widower who became a cleric (evidently receiving minor orders, not the diaconate or the priesthood).
He lived in solitude, but took an active role in assisting and sheltering the priests who secretly served the country’s Catholics persecuted under Queen Elizabeth I.
On the eve of Palm Sunday in 1591, a hostile neighbour of Watkinson spotted the widower’s servants procuring palms. This “incriminating evidence” was reported to a magistrate three miles away.
ON THE EVE OF PALM SUNDAY, A HOSTILE NEIGHBOUR SPOTTED BL. THOMAS' SERVANTS PROCURING PALMS AND REPORTED HIM TO THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES
Very early on Palm Sunday morning, the magistrate raided Watkinson’s home, arresting the widower and (Blessed) Father Robert Thorpe, the priest who had come to celebrate Mass. They were sent to London, where they were tortured by the murderous government agent Richard Topcliffe.
THE DEATH PENALTY FOR HAVING SHELTERED PRIESTS
After being returned to York, Father Thorpe was sentenced to drawing and quartering for his priesthood, and Watkinson was sentenced to hanging for having sheltered priests. Watkinson was offered his life if he agreed to attend Protestant [the government's] church services, but he refused. On May 31, 1591, both men suffered death with great courage.
“I proclaim the name of the Lord, O, tell the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are equity.”
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Thomas may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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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