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BL. THOMAS PORMORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 20 FEBRUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

Saints celebrated on the 20th of February

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BLESSED THOMAS PORMORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Thomas Pormort (or Portmore) was born in Lincolnshire, of a gentleman's family. He performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims, and partly in that of Rome, to which he was sent from Rheims in 1581. At Rome, he was made priest, and from thence he was sent upon the English mission. 

He fell into the hands of the persecutors, in August, 1591, and was committed to the Tower, where he was several times cruelly racked, to extort from him, by force of torments, the names of those who had harboured or relieved him. But his constancy was proof against all their torments, although, by the violence of them, his body was all disjointed, and his belly broken. So they proceeded to his trial, and condemned him to die, as in cases of high treason. The crimes for which he was sentenced to death, and afterwards executed, are thus set down by Mr Stow, in his chronicle, 1591:

The 8th of February, Thomas Pormort was convicted of two high treasons; the one for being a seminary priest, and the other for reconciling John Barwys, haberdasher. John Barwys was also convicted of high treason, for being reconciled, and of felony, for relieving the said priest, contrary to the statute. Thomas Pormort was executed in Paul's churchyard, February 20.

(From the Douay Diary and Catalogues, from Ribadaneira, chap. 7, and Dr Champney's manuscript.)

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

⬅️ The Holy Martyrs of England and Wales

PRAYER:

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