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JAMES HARRISON, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 22 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 22nd of March

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VENERABLE JAMES HARRISON, PRIEST AND MARTYR

This gentleman, who, by some, is confounded with Matthias Harrison, (of whom we have spoken in 1599), and by others, is called Matthew Harrison, alias Hayes; in the Douay records and catalogue, is called James, and is said to have been a native of the diocese of Litchfield, ordained at Rheims, in 1583, and sent from thence upon the English mission in 1584. 

He fell into the hands of the persecutors, a little before the Lent assizes, 1601-2; and being brought upon his trial, was sentenced to die, as in cases of high treason, barely on account of exercising his priestly functions in England. Raissius relates, that being told by his keeper, the night before execution, that he was to suffer the next day, which it seems was an unexpected piece of news, (for the judges had left the town, without determining anything of the time of his suffering,) he showed not the least sign of being troubled at the message, but, with a cheerful countenance, set himself down to supper, saying, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die. 

He drank up the cup of his Lord, the next day, says Raissius, with great constancy and fervour, being executed at York, March 22, 1602. His head, says the same author, is religiously kept by the English Franciscans at Douay. With Mr Harrison, was hanged Mr Anthony Battie, or, as others call him, Bates, a lay gentleman of Yorkshire, for having entertained the said Mr Harrison in his house, knowing him to be a priest.

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 James
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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