July 4 John Cornelius, sj; John Carey; Thomas Bosgrave; Patrick Salmon d. 1594 beat 1929

John and Thommy

good morning
i love you


back to July 4th.

Johns and a Thomas, martyred [in England, of course, noting the date and the anglicized names] as a group, it's easy to identify the reaason we have recognized their martyrdom - for, shall we, connected to our own independence day, say for freedom of religion? a freedom not allowed to Catholics in Merry England, since Henry VIII - and a suppression and persecution that was exported to our country, lingering still today in the home of the Klan, in the house of all anti-Catholicims.... thus, we are given saints, namesakes, even, to remind us of our duty to God and country - our responsiblity to faith, God, family, community, self ... even unto martyrdom - maybe not the martyrdom of sixteenth century england, but our personal martyrdom by our personal 'courntry' and 'countrymen'....

John Cornelius, of Irish descent educated at oxford. imagine what kind of family from which this irish bloke came. musta been smarter than the average bear and a bit more ambitious - to not only pursue the university education but to do so in the midst of the english oppressors of his homeland...

to become a priest, of course, he had to exile himself, go to Rheims and, in his case, on to Rome, to be trained and ordained. he must have known about other english martyrs - so such a route was an almost gurarenteed path to his own suffering and martyrdom. he knew from the beginning that to follow his vocation, to live fully and honestly his faith, meant martyrdom. as, you too know, it means a martyrdom for you to live your faith in your home 'country'. a martyrdom from which you scamper away.... because?!


after his ordination in 1583, John Cornelius returned to england. back into the teeth of the lion! soon after his getting back to the english island he became a jesuit. how much of that was his calling to ignatius spirituality and community? how much was it a sense of strength with others - one reason we have church/community is because we do need the strength of others to live our own faith, to be faithful to our own catholicism. with whom do you join to strengthen your faith [of your anti faith? we are known by those with whom we keep company....]


John Cornelius was discovered, found out to be a Catholic priest, in 1594. a pretty good run of bein an undercover priest. maybe that's your ploy - are you being an undercover Catholic? so you are not discovered by the royal crown(s) in your lives? not a bad strategy. but such a strategy includes being known within the Catholic community, contributing to the catholic community, being nurtured in your faith by the community as well as your own efforts to be closer to God. How else might John Cornelius be so dedicated to faith and community were it not for his own relationsip with Jesus and his immersion in his Jesuit and broader Catholic community?


Thomas Bosgrave, a gentleman, nephew of a lord. John Cornelius, sj, was kept underground within the family circle of Thomas Bosgrave. The act of 1585 made it high treason to be a roman catholic priest; merely treason to be of service to such a priest. the penalty for helping a priest at that time varied by local custom.... what penalty do you face to live Catholicly? for your properly serving your parish, supporting our priests? in the late 16th c., dealing with an "outlawed priest" could receive a light penalty but, simply buying a priest a tankard of ale could get you hung. which penalty do you fear that is so frightening that you hide from priest, parish, church, even your faith?

Thomas Bosgrave - well get this.... John Cornelius, sj, was condemned for being a priest. Thomas Bosgrave had taken off his hat and put it on the head of father cornelius when the jesuit was being carried away. "the honor i owe your function may not suffer me to see you go barehead." ... for which Thomas Bosgrave was instantly arrested led away and hanged. ... what are you so afraid of? how might Thomas Bosgrave help you use the courage of grace, the gift of the confirming holy spirit, already in your heart and soul?

but maybe Thomas Bosgrave's story of faith and service is not sufficient motivator; not enough of an eye opener for you... how about John Carey [not the comedian, tho he must have had the Spirit's sense of houmor....

John Carey was Thomas Bosgrave's servant. the servant of the servant got hauled away too. so, just being in the presence of the Catholics, being near the priest, can get you hauled away to martyrdom. is that why you run so far from your faith? are you afraid that the royalty in your life will haul you away and martyr you just because you appear to be near a person of faith?

John Carey served Thomas Bosgrave. Thomas Bosgrave doffed his hat to the captured priest. John Cornelius, sj, the priest servant was taken away. and with all three of them, our faith, our church was strengthened. look into yourselves and see the same grace, the same strength, the same Spirit, the same church at your side.... and do what is right and good, regardless of how the royalty will respond to your Catholicism - a Catholicism that by its existence, by the few who live it truly, admonish the Henry VIII approach to faith and marriage....

i love you
dad