Edmund Gennings
Edmund Gennings was an English Catholic martyr executed during the English Reformation. He is remembered for his missionary work and his martyrdom, which led to the conversion of his brother.
- Feast Day
- October 25
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›Edmund Gennings was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire in 1567.
- ›He became a Catholic priest in 1590 after studying at the English College at Rheims.
- ›Gennings returned to England under the assumed name 'Ironmonger' to minister to Catholics.
- ›He was arrested while saying Mass at the home of Saint Swithun Wells and executed on December 10, 1591.
- ›His execution was particularly brutal, with his final words angering his executioners.
- ›He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales on October 25, 1970.
About Edmund Gennings
Edmund Gennings (1567 – 10 December 1591) was an English martyr executed during the English Reformation for his adherence to Roman Catholicism. Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Gennings developed a deep inclination towards matters of faith from a young age.
Life and Ministry
At sixteen, Gennings became a page to Richard Sherwood, a Catholic gentleman. Impressed by his master, Gennings followed Sherwood to the English College at Rheims when Sherwood decided to become a priest. Gennings himself was ordained a priest at Soissons in 1590 at the age of twenty-three. He then returned to England under the assumed name "Ironmonger" to undertake missionary work.
His initial mission involved seeking out his estranged family in Lichfield. He found that all his relatives had died except for one brother, who had moved to London. Gennings spent a month searching for his brother in London, eventually finding him. However, his brother did not share his faith and urged him to leave to avoid suspicion. After this encounter, Gennings returned to France.
Arrest and Execution
Gennings returned to London in 1591 for what would be a brief missionary career. On November 7, 1591, he and Polydore Plasden were arrested by Richard Topcliffe and his officers while celebrating Mass in the home of Saint Swithun Wells at Gray's Inn. Gennings was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering outside the same house on December 10, 1591. His execution was noted for its brutality, as the rope was cut down prematurely, and he was reportedly disemboweled while still conscious. During this ordeal, he uttered the words, "Sancte Gregori ora pro me" (Saint Gregory, pray for me). Swithun Wells was hanged immediately after him.
Veneration and Legacy
Edmund Gennings's martyrdom was marked by extraordinary incidents, including the conversion of his younger brother John, who later wrote his biography. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970, with their joint feast day celebrated on October 25. A Catholic Mass centre, later rebuilt into a church, was dedicated to Edmund Gennings in Willenhall, West Midlands.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Edmund Gennings?
Edmund Gennings was an English Catholic martyr executed during the English Reformation for his faith. He was born in Lichfield in 1567 and became a priest in 1590.
Why was Edmund Gennings executed?
He was executed for being a Roman Catholic priest during a period of religious persecution in England. He was arrested while saying Mass and was subsequently hanged, drawn, and quartered.
When and where was Edmund Gennings martyred?
Edmund Gennings was martyred in London on December 10, 1591. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered outside the house of Saint Swithun Wells at Gray's Inn.
What is Edmund Gennings remembered for?
Gennings is remembered for his courageous missionary work in England and his martyrdom. His execution was notable for its brutality and the conversion of his brother, John, who wrote his biography.
When was Edmund Gennings canonized?
Edmund Gennings was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970. His feast day is celebrated on October 25.
Related Saints
John Rigby
John Rigby was an English Roman Catholic layman executed for his faith during the reign of Elizabeth I. He is remembered as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Rigby was hanged, drawn, and quartered for refusing to renounce his Catholic beliefs.
John Stone
John Stone OSA was an English Augustinian friar and doctor of theology who was executed during the dissolution of the monasteries. He is remembered for his steadfast refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII's spiritual supremacy over the English Church, leading to his martyrdom. Stone was canonized in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Swithun Wells
Swithun Wells was an English Roman Catholic martyr executed during the reign of Elizabeth I. A country gentleman and former schoolmaster, he was known for sheltering hunted priests and arranging their passage between safehouses. His home in Gray's Inn Lane served as a welcome center for recusants, and he was ultimately martyred there.