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BL. ROBERT JOHNSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 28 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 28th of May

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BLESSED ROBERT JOHNSON, PRIEST AND MARTYR

He was born in Shropshire, though he is called Vigorniensis in the Douay diary, from his being of the diocese of Worcester. In his youth, he was for some time a servant in a gentleman's family: but quitting this service he went abroad, and was received in the English college of Douay, where, after he had sufficiently qualified himself by virtue and learning, he was made priest and sent upon the mission, in 1576, long before the pretended conspiracy of Rheims and Rome. In what part of England he exercised his functions, or where, and in what manner he was first apprehended, I have not found: but this I have found, that, on the 5th of December, 1580, he was from some other prison, translated to the Tower, where he was at three different times most cruelly racked: and in the November following, he was brought to the bar and condemned with Father Campion and others; though his execution was put off till the 28th of May, 1582.

Being brought from the hurdle, he was commanded to look upon Mr Shert, who was hanging, and then immediately cut down: and so being helped into the cart, he was commanded again, to look back towards Mr Shert, who was then in quartering. And after he had turned, and signed himself with the sign of the cross, saying, In nomine Patris, &c.

  - Despatch, quoth the sheriff, and speak quietly.

- I would be sorry, answered Mr Johnson, to trouble or offend your worship

- You shall not offend me, saith the sheriff, so that you offend not God. 

- Johnson: I am a Catholic, and am condemned for conspiring the queen's death at Rheims, with the other company who were condemned with me. I protest, that as for some of them, with whom I was condemned to have conspired withal, I did never see them before we met at the bar, neither did I ever write unto them, or receive letters from them and as for any treasons, I am not guilty in deed, nor thought
Here his examination was read, and his answers to the six articles. Then the sheriff said, You shall hear also, what your own companion, named Munday, can say against you, whereupon Munday was called, and came nigh to the cart.

- Johnson: Munday, didst thou ever know me beyond the seas, or was I ever in thy company?

- Munday: I was never in your company, neither did I ever know you beyond the seas: but I was privy to your most horrible treasons, whereof you were most clearly convicted. I pray God, you may repent, and that you may die a good subject.

- Johnson: Munday, God give thee grace to repent thee of thy deeds; truly, thou art a shrewd fellow: but there is no time now, to reason these matters with thee; only, I protest before God, I am not guilty of any treason.

- Sheriff: Dost thou acknowledge the queen, for lawful queen! Repent thee, and notwithstanding thy traitorous practices, we have authority from the queen, to carry thee back.

- Johnson: I do acknowledge her as lawful as queen Mary was. I can say no more but pray to God, to give her grace, and that she may now stay her hand from shedding of innocent blood.

- Sheriff: Dost thou acknowledge her as supreme head of the church in ecclesiastical matters!

- Johnson: I acknowledge her to have as full and great authority, as ever queen Mary had; and more with safety and conscience, I cannot give her.

- Sheriff: Thou art a traitor, most obstinate.

- Johnson: If I be a traitor for maintaining this faith, then all the kings and queens of this realm heretofore, and all our ancestors were traitors, for they maintained the same.

- Sheriff: What! you will preach treason also, if we suffer you. 

- Johnson: I teach but the Catholic religion.

Hereupon the rope was put about his neck, and he was willed to pray, which he did in Latin. They willed him to pray in English, that they might witness with him. He said: I pray that prayer, which Christ taught, in a tongue I well understand. A minister cried out, pray as Christ taught: to whom, Mr Johnson replied, What! do you think Christ taught in English! He went on, saying, in Latin, his Pater, Ave and Creed, and In manus tuas, &c. And so the cart was drawn away, and he finished this life, as the rest did. They all hanged until they were dead, and so were cut down and quartered.

Two days after, viz: on the 30th of May, 1582, four more reverend priests. Mr William Filbie, Mr Luke Kirby, Mr Laurence Richardson, whose right name was Johnson, and Mr Thomas Cottam, suffered for the same cause, at the same place. All these are mentioned by Mr Stow in his annals.

(from an eyewitness account)

[Fr Robert was beatified on December 29, 1886 by 

Source: Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 1

PRAYER:

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