BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 30th of May

WELCOME!

BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR

Richard Newport, alias Smith, was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. 

He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of this afflicted church, and to obtain of God, by their intercession, grace and constancy for himself to fulfil his ministry amidst so many difficulties and dangers, as he expected to meet with upon his return to England.

It is true, he had been strictly charged by the council not to come back into any of the British dominions at his utmost peril: but then he had learnt from the examples of the apostles, that in things relating to the functions of his ministry, he was to hearken to God rather than man. To England therefore he returned; and though he was apprehended again, and banished a second time, he again came back at the first favourable opportunity.

Being apprehended for the third time, the persecutors were now resolved to make sure work with him. and effectually silence him for ever. To this end they brought him upon his trial, on an indictment of high treason, for being a priest, and returning into England contrary to the statute. We have already seen his behaviour at the bar; and how by his jury he was found guilty of the indictment, and in consequence of this supposed guilt, was condemned to die the ignominious death of traitors. Which he suffered with constancy and courage, in the company of Mr Scot, May 30, 1612.

From Dr Worthington's Catalogue, p. 52.

Source: Bishop Richard Challoner, Memoirs of Missionary Priests, Volume 2

⬅️ The Holy Martyrs of England and Wales

PRAYER:

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