John Almond (martyr)

Infobox Saint
name=John Almond
birth_date=c. 1577
death_date=death date|1612|12|5|mf=y
feast_day=5 December
(25 October as part of the 40 Martyrs)
venerated_in=Roman Catholic Church


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birth_place=Allerton near Liverpool
death_place=Tyburn, London
titles=
beatified_date=1929
beatified_place=Rome
beatified_by=Pope Pius XI
canonized_date=1970
canonized_place=Rome
canonized_by=Pope Paul VI, as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
attributes=
patronage=
major_shrine=
suppressed_date=
issues=

Saint John Almond was born about 1577 and ordained in 1598. He was martyred December 5, 1612. Canonised in 1970, he is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He was renowned for his debating skills.

Early years

John Almond was born about 1577. He passed his childhood at Allerton near Liverpool, where he was born, and at Much Woolton, Lancashire. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in Ireland, until he went to the English College in Rome, at the age of twenty.

killed Debater

He concluded his term there brilliantly by giving the 'Grand Act' -- a public defence of theses which cover the whole course of philosophy and theology -- and was warmly congratulated by Cardinals Caesar Baronius and Francesco Maria Tarugi, who presided.

Return to England

He returned to the dangers of England in 1602 as a secular priest and administered to the faithful there. He was arrested in 1608, and then again in 1612. In November of that year seven priests had escaped from prison, and this may have sharpened the zeal of the persecutors. He displayed to the last a great acuteness in argument, and died with the Holy Name upon his lips.

Account of his Death

The account of his death describes him as "a reprover of sin, a good example to follow, of an ingenious and acute understanding, sharp and apprehensive in his conceits and answers, yet complete with modesty, full of courage and ready to suffer for Christ, that suffered for him."

Martyred

Almond was hanged, drawn, and quartered on 5 December 1612 at Tyburn, London, England

teps To Sainthood

*Beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI
*Canonised 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI.
*His feast day is the 5 December.
*25 October, Feast Day of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

References

*catholic

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01328d.htm Catholic Encyclopaedia]
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintjad.htm Summary of the Saint's life]