Edmund Arrowsmith
Edmund Arrowsmith was an English Jesuit priest and one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He ministered to Catholics in Lancashire during a period of intense religious persecution. Arrowsmith is remembered for his steadfast faith and ultimately his martyrdom.
- Feast Day
- August 28
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›Edmund Arrowsmith was born in Haydock, Lancashire, in 1585.
- ›He studied for the priesthood at the English College in Douai, France.
- ›Arrowsmith was ordained a priest in 1612 and ministered in Lancashire.
- ›He joined the Jesuits in 1624.
- ›He was arrested, convicted of being a priest, and executed at Lancaster on August 28, 1628.
- ›He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales in 1970.
Brian (baptismal name)
Hand
About Edmund Arrowsmith
Edmund Arrowsmith, SJ (c. 1585 – 28 August 1628)
Edmund Arrowsmith was an English Jesuit priest and is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His life and martyrdom are documented in contemporary accounts, characteristic of the "Acts of martyrs" tradition.
Life and Ministry
Born in Haydock, Lancashire, in 1585, Edmund Arrowsmith (baptized Brian, but using his confirmation name) came from a family with a strong adherence to Roman Catholicism, which exposed them to constant harassment. His father was a yeoman farmer who had served in military campaigns, and his mother was from the prominent Gerard family of Lancashire. Arrowsmith left England at age twenty to study for the priesthood at the English College in Douai, France, returning to England after his ordination in 1612. He ministered to Catholics in Lancashire without significant incident until around 1622, when he was questioned by the Anglican Bishop of Chester. An amnesty for arrested priests by King James I allowed for his release. In 1624, he joined the Society of Jesus.
Arrest and Execution
In the summer of 1628, Arrowsmith was reportedly betrayed by a man named Holden, leading to his arrest. He was apprehended while ministering to Catholics in Lancashire. He was convicted of being a Roman Catholic priest in England and was sentenced to death. Edmund Arrowsmith was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering at Lancaster on August 28, 1628.
Veneration and Legacy
Edmund Arrowsmith was beatified in 1929 and later canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs. His feast day is observed on August 28th, though it is transferred to other dates in local calendars, such as August 7th in the Diocese of Lancaster.
His preserved hand is venerated as a relic at the Catholic Church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield. Stonyhurst College holds a trunk of vestments and equipment he used. A Catholic high school in Ashton-in-Makerfield is named in his honor, and there is also a St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy in Whiston. He is commemorated in the National Calendar for England on May 4th alongside other English Martyrs.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Edmund Arrowsmith?
Edmund Arrowsmith was an English Jesuit priest and a Catholic martyr. He was born in Lancashire in 1585 and ministered to Catholics in his home region.
Why is Edmund Arrowsmith considered a martyr?
Edmund Arrowsmith was executed on August 28, 1628, for being a Roman Catholic priest in England during a time of severe persecution. He is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
When is Edmund Arrowsmith's feast day?
His feast day is officially commemorated on August 28. However, in local calendars, such as the Diocese of Lancaster, it is celebrated on August 7 as part of the Lancashire Martyrs.
What is the significance of Edmund Arrowsmith's hand?
His hand was preserved by the Arrowsmith family as a relic after his execution. It is now kept in the Catholic Church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Where was Edmund Arrowsmith educated?
He studied for the priesthood at the English College in Douai, France. Ironically, he was educated at what is now The Byrchall high school in Ashton-in-Makerfield, which shares grounds with a school named in his honor.
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