August 22
Saint John Kemble
Priest, Martyr
(1599 – 1679)
“When you read the sacred Scriptures, or any other book, never think how you read, but what you read.”
Saint John Kemble
Coming November 1, 2024 on Amazon
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
In 1599, John was born at Rhydica Farm, Saint Weonard’s Parish, Herefordshire, England, to Catholic parents. He went to Douai to study for the priesthood and was ordained there in 1625.
Sent on English Mission
John was sent on the English mission and worked in Herefordshire and Monmouthshire for 53 years. He became a victim of the Titus Oates plot hysteria.
Arrested
John was arrested in 1678 at Pembridge Castle, his brother’s house, which he used as his headquarters.
Quilty of Being a Catholic Priest
John was charged with complicity in the fraudulent plot to assassinate King Charles II. When no evidence could be found of his involvement, he was examined by the Privy Council in London and found guilty of being a Catholic priest.
His Martyrdom
On August 22, 1679 at Widemarsh Common, Hereford, England, the 80-year-old Father Kemble was so respected that he was allowed to die upon the gallows before the other grisly rituals of the drawing and quartering were carried out. Thus, he was thus spared much of the agonies that others suffered. One of his hands was cut off and is kept as a relic in the Catholic Church in Monmouth. John was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. (Benedictines, Delaney).
Born: 1599 (exact date unknown) in Herefordshire, England
Died: August 22, 1679 in Hereford, England
Beatified: December 15, 1925 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized: October 25, 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Feast Day: August 22
Patron Saint: None
Sources:
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- CatholicSaints.Info » Saints of the Day – John Kemble, Priest by Katherine I Rabenstein
Reflection
St. John is a wonderful saint for old people; that in memory of his horrific suffering, that as we age we may pray to him that our ailments of old age are alleviated and we may continue to serve the Lord.
As you get older, have you thought about how you will continue to serve the Lord? May you pray for God’s grace, wisdom and strength to serve others in need amid your own ailments.
Prayers
Saint John Kemble,
You who worked tirelessly and fearlessly for the Lord for 53 years on your English Mission. At the age of 80, you were found guilty of being a Catholic priest.
May you intercede for as we try to follow your example and serve the Lord no matter what our age is.
On our last day, may we each be judged guilty of being a Catholic by our daily actions seen by others around us.
Saint John Kemble, pray for us. Amen.
Here are some words from the hymn “Sun of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear” written by John Keble which make a beautiful night prayer.
Sun of my soul, thou Savior Dear,
It is not night if thou be near;
O may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide thee from thy servant’s eyes.
When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought, how sweet to rest
Forever on my Savior’s breast.
Source: Karen Barber at Prayer Ideas
A Night Prayer by John Keble – Prayer Ideas
Saint Links
Aleteia – 40 English martyrs you may not know
All Saints & Martyrs – Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Anastpaul – Saint of the Day – 22 August – St John Kemble (1599 – 1679) Martyr
Catholic Fire – Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Catholic Ireland – Oct 25 – The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Catholic Online – St. John Kemble
CatholicSaints.Info – St. John Kemble
Herefordshire Past – Saint John Kemble – Martyr
New Advent – Ven. John Kemble From the Catholic Encyclopedia
uCatholic – The Martyrs of Douai
Wikipedia -St John Kemble
Video Link
St. John Kemble – YouTube (marysdowry)