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BL. THOMAS ATKINSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 11 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH 

Saints celebrated on the 11th of March

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

BL. THOMAS ATKINSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR 


Blessed Thomas Atkinson was born in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was ordained priest at Reims, and returned to his native country in 1588. 

HE WAS UNWEARIED IN VISITING HIS FLOCK

We are told that he was unwearied in visiting his flock, especially the poor, and became so well known that he could not safely travel by day. He always went afoot until, having broken his leg, he had to ride a horse. 

THEY FOUND A PAIR OF BEADS AND THE FORM OF AN INDULGENCE ON HIM

At the age of seventy he was betrayed, and carried to York with his host, Mr Vavasour of Willitoft, and some members of the family. A pair of beads, and the form of an indulgence were found upon him, and he was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. 

AS A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HE WAS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Blessed Thomas was martyred at York on March 11, 1616. He suffered “with wonderful patience, courage, and constancy, and signs of great comfort”.

(From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913 - The title "Venerable" in the original text has been changed afterwards, since Fr Atkinson has been beatified since. He is one of the 85 Martyrs of England and Wales.)

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of your holy martyr Thomas Atkinson 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.

➡️ Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

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