ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY
Saints celebrated on the 21st of January
BLESSED THOMAS REYNOLDS, PRIEST AND MARTYR
Thomas Reynolds, whose true name was Green, was born in the city of Oxford towards the beginning of queen Elizabeth's reign; and as great numbers of the brightest and most hopeful young men in both universities in those days, disliking the new religion , went abroad to be educated in the old, for which, afterwards, a great many of them laid down their lives. Mr Reynolds followed their footsteps, and going over to Rheims to the English seminary then residing in that city, after some time spent in his studies there, was advanced to holy orders; and being now deacon, was, on the 17th of September, 1590, in the company of several others , sent from Rheims into Spain, the seminaries in that kingdom being then usually supplied from the college at Rheims. Mr Reynolds was made priest at Seville, and from thence was sent upon the English mission.
He had been above fifty years in holy orders when he was called forth to suffer, and in that space of time had weathered many a storm. I find his name amongst the forty-seven priests sent from divers prisons into banishment in 1606.
But he quickly returned again to his post. He was therefore again apprehended in or about the year 1628, about fourteen years before his death; and was then brought to his trial and condemned; but, by the queen's interest was reprieved; yet so, as still to remain a prisoner.
It is true, I find his name in Mr Prynne's Hidden Works of Darkness, &c. amongst those priests who, in 1635, upon giving bond for their appearance, were permitted to go out of prison: and in consequence of this permission, he was often abroad amongst his friends, till in June, 1641, (the factions in the parliament being now very clamorous against the reprieving of priests,) he was seized and committed; and in the January following, without any new trial or provocation, was brought down to his former sentence, and executed.
He was a man, says my author (Chiflet, p. 37,) of a most religious comportment in his whole life, who, for a long course of years, had preached virtue and godliness to his countrymen, no less by his example than by his words: and he was now far advanced in age, being about eighty. As to his body, he was fat and corpulent, yet very infirm through past labours and sufferings. As to his temper, he was remarkably mild and courteous; and in the many years he had laboured in the vineyard of his Lord, he had reaped much fruit in gaining many souls to God. He was naturally timorous; and therefore, when he was so unexpectedly called upon to prepare himself to die, distrusting in his own strength, he earnestly importuned heaven for the grace of constancy and perseverance by long and fervent prayer, in which he employed a good part of the night before his martyrdom; and begged, to this same end, the prayers of other priests and servants of God; and the divine Majesty was pleased to hear him, and in such manner to favour him with his grace as to banish all his fears and fill his soul with a wonderful fortitude and vigour; so that he was surprised to find this change in himself, and could not forbear extolling the mercies of God towards him and the wondrous operations of his powerful grace in so poor, frail, and infirm an old man.
On the morning before he was to die he celebrated the sacred Mysteries and then cheerfully obeyed the summons of the officers, who called for him in order to execution.
What follows , is mostly transcribed from two manuscript relations of which I have copies in my hands.
He, "Mr Reynolds," came forth of Newgate and put off his hat to the sheriff, then went up the sledge, and lay down; but lifting himself up again, he saluted them that were about him, and gave his blessing to all catholics that were present. Mr Roe, a Benedictine, presently followed, and did in the same manner, and they embraced each other on the hurdle. It was the 21st of January, 1641, being Friday, the feast of St Agnes, that these two courageous soldiers of Jesus Christ were called out to fight.
They were drawn on one hurdle by four car-horses; the way being very deep and plashy, so that their faces, bands and clothes were much spattered with dirt. In the meantime, it is almost incredible how much both protestants and catholics were moved to tears at the sight of them, and what show of zeal the catholics made towards these blessed martyrs; for in the streets they went up to the hurdle where they lay, some kissing their hands, some their garments, others craving their blessing publicly; others saying, courage, valiant soldiers of Christ: and the martyrs on the other side, bade them joyfully farewell, saying, they more esteemed it to be drawn up Holborn on a sledge for his cause than if they were riding in the best coach the king had, and that they were going to a marriage feast.
They arrived about eleven o'clock at the place of execution, where Mr Reynolds, having the sheriff's permission, spoke bravely for half an hour's space; and amongst other things said that if he had as many lives as there are bright stars in the firmament, he would most willingly give them all for this cause. That he had conversed with all sorts of people, having been a priest in England almost forty years, yet none could ever accuse him so much as of a word tending to treason or disloyalty; that he had only laboured to return strayed souls to the fold of the catholic church, to which as he had returned some, so he wished that every one of them had been a thousand. He also told them that God's vengeance hung over England for their seditious treacheries, &c.
Here the sheriff asked him what he meant? I do not mean, said he, the parliament; I will not censure nor meddle with their actions, but beseech almighty God to bless them and to send the holy Ghost to teach them to do what is best for the kingdom and the catholic church; and withal he excused the king for having any hand in his blood and prayed for him, for the queen, the royal issue and the whole kingdom. I pray God, said he, that they, the king and parliament, may settle all things to his honour and glory, and that England may be a flourishing kingdom. I desire all whom I have offended to forgive me as I forgive all the world, from the bottom of my heart, and all those who have a hand in the effusion of my innocent blood: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge, and that it may not cry to heaven for vengeance, and lie heavy upon the kingdom. And God forgive them, to please whom, I was so suddenly called away. - And God bless you, Mr Sheriff, and reward you for your goodness towards me, and for your patience in bearing with my tediousness, and grant you his grace to make you a glorious saint in heaven, &c . Here the sheriff answered in a low voice, and I commend myself to you.
All this he spoke with such an undaunted courage, a cheerful aspect, and at the same time with such an air of meekness and humility as drew tears from the eyes of many; and though the crowd was extraordinary great, the attention and silence was such as might rather be expected in a church than upon this occasion.
The sheriff, who had all this time stood uncovered, and showing, by his own wet cheeks a deep concern for the prisoner, turned towards my Lord Rich and some other persons of distinction, and with a great feeling and concern protested that he had never seen in his whole life a man die like him; and that, for his own part, he did truly pity his condition. Mr Reynolds having finished his discourse, kneeled down, disposing himself for prayer.
When Mr Roe (a man courageous and valiant, says F. Floyd,) rising up, and looking about him, said with some surprise, Here's a jolly company! I know you come to see me die: my fellow here hath in great measure spoke what I would have said. However, I shall repeat the words I used at the bar. I say, then, here again, for a man to be put to death for being a priest, this being the most sacred and highest order in the world, is an unjust and tyrannical law. I say, that law of the 27th of queen Elizabeth, which condemns a man to death for being a priest only, is a wicked, unjust, and tyrannical law, a law not to be found even amongst the Turks, or elsewhere in the whole universe, England excepted.
Here the sheriff said, Mr Roe, I must not suffer you to vilify the laws; I am here to see justice done and cannot hear you make these reflections upon the laws and judicial proceedings of the nation. Whereupon Mr Roe desisted, recommending himself to the prayers of all such as were of his religion, forgiving from his heart all persons whatsoever, and earnestly begging forgiveness of all. This done, he prepared himself for execution, showing in his behaviour, the whole time, an unparalleled contempt of death. Then the cart, wherein were three felons (one of which had been privately reconciled by Mr Roe the day before, and gave great signs of penitence,) was placed under the gallows, and the two confessors ordered to get into it, which they did with joy, and having there embraced each other for the last time, they betook themselves to their private devotions.
While the executioner was fastening the ropes, Mr Reynolds called to him, Friend, says he, pray let all be secure and do thy duty neatly: I have been a neat man all my life.
After some time employed in mental prayer, they rose up; and Mr Roe espying one of the turnkeys of the Fleet, where he had formerly been a prisoner, Friend, says he, smiling, I find thou art a prophet: thou hast told me often that I should be hanged; and truly my unworthiness was such I could not believe it, but I see thou art a prophet.
While the ordinary of Newgate was praying with the felons the two priests recited the Miserere psalm alternatim, Mr Reynolds beginning, and Mr Roe answering; and having recited the whole psalm and paused a short time, they repeated it a second time, Mr Roe giving out the first verse, Mr Reynolds answering. The executioner coming to cover their faces, Mr Roe told him he had disposed of his handkerchief; but, says he, I dare look death in the face.
In fine, after some devout recommendations of their souls to their Saviour the servants of God, as the cart was drawn away, saluted the people with great signs of joy and alacrity, and so passed to a better world.
They hung till they were fully dead, in their clothes, and afterwards were quartered. Many present dipped their handkerchiefs in their blood, others gathered up the bloody straws and what they could get else, going to London with their spoils. The catholics then present, many in number, seemed even beside themselves with fervour and zeal; and into them that were absent, their glorious example hath put life and alacrity. Yea, a protestant said, It would be long enough before any of our religion will die as these men do for their faith; they will sooner turn to a hundred religions. Another protestant that frequents our house (they are the words of Father Floyd's MS.), having no handkerchief about him, dipped his glove within and without, and brought it to us, and could not, for weeping, relate what the good man said: and added that many protestants wept, even the sheriff himself. A protestant lord, to my knowledge, said that he was unwilling they should be put to death and that it would be the cause that two thousand more papists would rise for these two priests; and that he did not doubt , but when Mr Ward was executed, a thousand were made papists. It is likely, continues the manuscript, that the seven condemned priests will shortly also be executed, notwithstanding the king's reprieve; for now the parliament proceeds against priests upon their own authority without asking the king's leave. God give them constancy, and make us partakers of their merits. So far the manuscript. They suffered at Tyburn, January 21, 1641-2.
From Mr Ireland's Douay Diary; a manuscript relation by Father Floyd S. J., another manuscript in the collections of Mr Knaresborough; and Chifletius, in his Palma Cleri Anglicani, printed at Antwerp in 1645.
Source: Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 1
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