John Jones
John Jones O.F.M. was a Welsh Franciscan priest and martyr, recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He is remembered for his steadfast faith and martyrdom on July 12, 1598, after being arrested, tortured, and convicted of high treason for returning to England as a priest ordained by Roman authority.
- Feast Day
- July 12
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›He was born at Clynnog Fawr, Caernarfonshire, Wales, into a recusant Catholic family.
- ›He was ordained a diocesan priest and imprisoned for administering sacraments before joining the Conventual Franciscans.
- ›He ministered to Catholics in England after returning from Rome, where he received Pope Clement VIII's blessing.
- ›He was arrested in 1596, severely tortured by Richard Topcliffe, and imprisoned for nearly two years.
- ›He was tried and convicted of high treason for being ordained a priest abroad and returning to England.
- ›He was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering on July 12, 1598, at St. Thomas's Watering in Southwark.
John Buckley, John Griffith, Godfrey Maurice (in religion), Griffith Jones
About John Jones
John Jones O.F.M.
John Jones (c. 1530 - July 12, 1598), also known by aliases such as John Buckley and John Griffith, was a Franciscan priest and a martyr. He is counted among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, a group of Catholic priests and laymen executed between 1535 and 1679 for treason or other offenses related to their Catholic faith.
Life and Ministry
Born at Clynnog Fawr in Caernarfonshire, Wales, John Jones hailed from a devout recusant Welsh family. He was ordained as a diocesan priest and faced imprisonment for administering sacraments, notably in the Marshalsea from 1582 to around 1585 under the name Robert Buckley. By 1587, he was confined at Wisbech Castle.
In 1590, Jones left England and, at the age of sixty, joined the Conventual Franciscans at Pontoise. He subsequently lived among the Observant Friars in Rome, receiving a blessing from Pope Clement VIII before being sent back to the English mission. He arrived in London around the end of 1592 and worked with missionary priests, ministering to Catholics in the English countryside.
Arrest, Torture, and Trial
Jones was arrested in 1596 after being denounced by a spy to Richard Topcliffe. Despite evidence suggesting the Catholics he visited were imprisoned at the time, Jones was apprehended, severely tortured, and scourged. He was further subjected to torture at Topcliffe's home, which was equipped with a private rack for prisoner examinations.
Following nearly two years of imprisonment, during which he supported fellow prisoner John Rigby, Jones's leg injury was healed by Jane Wiseman. He was tried on July 3, 1598, on charges related to his ordination in Rome and return to England, found guilty of high treason, and sentenced to death.
Execution and Veneration
The execution of John Jones was carried out at St. Thomas's Watering in Southwark on July 12, 1598. The ceremony was delayed due to the hangman forgetting a rope, during which Jones preached to the gathered crowd. His dismembered remains were displayed on poles. His relics were later reportedly removed by Catholic Englishmen, with one relic eventually reaching Pontoise.
John Jones was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIII and beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI. He was canonized on October 25, 1970, by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, with his feast day observed on July 12.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John Jones?
John Jones, also known by aliases such as John Buckley and Godfrey Maurice, was a Welsh Franciscan priest and martyr. He was born around 1530 and is recognized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
When and where was John Jones executed?
John Jones was executed on July 12, 1598, at St. Thomas's Watering in Southwark, England. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered after being convicted of high treason.
Why was John Jones considered a martyr?
He was martyred for being a priest ordained by Roman authority and returning to England, which was deemed high treason under the statutes of the time. He was arrested, tortured, and ultimately executed for his faith and ministry.
What was John Jones's religious background?
John Jones came from a recusant Welsh family who remained faithful Roman Catholics during the Protestant Reformation. He was ordained a diocesan priest before joining the Conventual Franciscans and serving on the English mission.
How is John Jones venerated today?
John Jones was beatified in 1929 and canonized on October 25, 1970, as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast day is commemorated on July 12.
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