Saint John Jones
Priest, Martyr
(Around 1529 – 1598)

Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

John was born around the year 1529 in Clynog Fawr, Carnarvonshire, Wales to a faithful Catholic family even throughout the Protestant Reformation. He was also known by various other names; Griffith Jones, John Buckley, or John Griffith. He grew up with a deep faith. In his youth, Queen Mary Tudor accomplished the restoration of the Catholic Church after the brief reign of Edward VI had taken the Church of England into the Calvinist fold.

John entered the Observant Franciscan Convent in Greenwich, England and became known for his piety. At Queen Mary’s untimely death in 1558, however, her half-sister Elizabeth assumed the throne and it was not long before Catholics were once more persecuted in England.

Ordained and Fled to France

Although still a novice, John was forced to flee to France. The English Observant Franciscans fled to a friary in Pontoise, France, where John was professed and trained. He also studied at the English College at Douai, France. He was probably ordained a priest at the friary in Rheims, France and took the religious name of Godfrey Maurice.

Following his ordination, John returned to England. In 1587, he was working among the Catholic prisoners in Marshalsea Prison in London, England. John was discovered, imprisoned at Wisbech Castle. About 1590 after regaining his liberty, either by escape or banishment, John left England.

In 1592, John made his profession as a Franciscan at the Convent of Ara Coeli in Rome, Italy. Before leaving Rome, John had an audience of Pope Clement VIII who embraced him and gave him his blessing, adding, “Go, for I believe you are a true religious of Saint Francis; and pray to God for me and His holy Church.” John returned to England, fully aware of the gruesome punishments inflicted on Catholic priests.

Using the alias John Buckley, John worked in London and other parts of England and was elected Franciscan provincial of England. Throughout his mission work, John traveled to various locations in England, tirelessly ministering to the faithful while avoiding capture. Then, in 1596, John was arrested again.

Captured by Priest-Catcher Topcliffe

In 1596, the infamous priest-catcher Richard Topcliffe had been informed by a spy that John had visited two Catholics (Mr. Robert Barnes and Mrs. Jane Wiseman – a Catholic lady who had two sons Jesuits) and said Mass in their house. However, it was afterwards shown that these people were in prison when the alleged offence took place. However, John was promptly arrested and severely tortured. He was also cruelly scourged. Mr. Topcliffe took him to his house and practiced unspeakable barbarities upon him, all of which he endured with great fortitude, finding solace and strength in his deep love for Christ and the Church.

Then, John was imprisoned for nearly two years in the Marshalsea Prison. Here, he brought layman Saint John Rigby back to his faith while in prison. Saint John Rigby would himself later be executed in 1600 and also become one of the Forty Martyrs of England.

His Martyrdom

On July 3, 1598, John was convicted for the supposed treason of being a Catholic priest who had been ordained abroad and returned to England.

On July 12, 1598, John was to be executed early in the morning in the gallows at Saint Thomas Watering in Southwark, London, England with the intention of minimizing the risk of a public riot. However, an unexpected delay occurred as the executioner had to retrieve his ropes. During this time, John fearlessly seized the opportunity to preach to the crowd that had gathered. He boldly explained that he was being put to death for his unwavering commitment to his faith, emphasizing that his allegiance remained loyal to God and not to any disloyalty towards his country. So, on that day, John was hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Saint John Jones is honored as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales for his unwavering faith and courage. His body was gruesomely chopped into pieces and displayed on roadside poles as a deterrent to others. However, local Catholics risked their own safety by pulling down the body parts as an act of reverence. The surviving relics of Saint John Jones are venerated in Pontoise, France.

Born:                   Around 1529 in Clynog Fawr, Carnarvonshire, Wales

Died:                   July 12, 1598 in Southwark, London, England

Beatified:           December 8, 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Canonized:        October 25, 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Feast Day:         July 12, October 25 (as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales)

Patron Saint:    None

Source:

• • Saint of the Day – 12 July – Saint John Jones OFM (c 1574 – 1598) Priest and Martyr – AnaStpaul
  • CatholicSaints.Info » John Jones, Martyr – from The Rambler, January, 1859
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint John Jones
  • Saint John Jones – Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints
  • John Jones (martyr) – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Ss. John Jones & John Wall | Obscure Saint – YouTube (The CatholicTV Network)