BL. EDWARD OLDCORNE, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 7 APRIL

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL

Saints celebrated on the 7th of April

WELCOME!

BLESSED EDWARD OLDCORNE, PRIEST AND MARTYR 

⬅️ Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

[Blessed Edward Oldcorne was a] martyr, he was born in 1561. His father was a Protestant, and his mother a Catholic. He was educated as a doctor, but later decided to enter the priesthood, went to the English College at Reims, then to Rome, where, after ordination, in 1587, he became a Jesuit. 

HE WENT ON THE MISSION

Next year he returned to England in company with Father John Gerard, and worked, chiefly in Worcester, until he was arrested with Father Henry Garnet and taken to the Tower. No evidence connecting him with the Gunpowder Plot could be obtained, and he was executed for his priesthood only. 

HE WAS EXECUTED FOR BEING A CATHOLIC PRIEST

Two letters of his are at Stonyhurst; the second, written from prison, overflows with zeal and charity. His last combat took place on April 7, 1606 at Red Hill, Worcester. With him suffered his faithful servant, the Venerable Ralph Ashby, who is traditionally believed to have been a Jesuit lay-brother. Oldcorne’s picture, painted after his death for the Gesú, is extant, and a number of his relics.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. The "Venerable" in the original text has been changed to "Blessed". Fr Oldcorne has since been beatified.

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.