0203 Joihn Nelson d. 1578

Jack and Thom,
Good morning, I love you
110104, 1121

February gets off to a John-start. John a prolific English language name. It also seems to be well worn in our western languages. A derivative from the Hebrew meaning God is Gracious, Yahweh is Merciful. The name itself carries an obligation once you know who you are. Plus, it carries a weight that you cannot fully fathom because it was given to you from your Grandfather’s name. You got the blessing of being named after both of your Grandfathers. And thus, the privilege of bringing out the best of them in you.

John Ed got to play with you – we have some great pictures. I occasionally wonder that if he lived another, say, five or, jeeze, ten years, how much difference would he have made in the possibilities for your parents. His absence was not contributive to the demise of our relationship but, maybe, his presence would have helped us overcome our divide. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood….”


February 3
Bl John Nelson, SJ b. 1534 d. 1578

You know this story by now. The better question is how well you’ve assimilated it. How important it is to be reminded of it.

John Nelson went to Douay in 1573. That’s thirty nine. So, you never know when you will wake up to your calling or how your vocation changes during your lifetime. Never stop listening to the call from God to do what you were created to do.

What was life like for John Nelson before he turned 39? How did approaching the “mid-life” crisis of ‘40’ play into his new awakening? In the Jesuits’ saints book, there are more details but not many. Each of these incomplete biographies are worth their own short stories. Let the possibilities play gracefully on your heart.

Two of his four brothers followed his example and became priests. Some of us are older brothers and some not. We older brothers have an obligation to our younger siblings. You’ll have to ask Ken and Grandpa about how well you think I’ve done with my responsibilities. Jack, you have the benefit of your brother, parents, and Grandfather to give you the feedback in your fulfilling your duties. Alas, do you have the wisdom to seek it. And not only from us but from our faith, the stories of older brothers in the Gospels and in our long tradition of faith – the older brothers through our history. How do you pursue what is your duty? How do you know you are fulfilling your purpose?

John Nelson was ordained priest at Binche, in Hainault, 11 June, 1576. To get ordained this quickly as a Jesuit means he came to Douay with substantial training in philosophy and theology. Since we don’t have the date of his entrance into the Society, it’s possible that it wasn’t until he returned to London that he was accepted in to the Order.

John Nelson was sent on the English mission on 7 November 1576. “Was sent” reminds us of our vow of obedience – which we took at Baptism, renewed at Confirmation, and will take again as we proceed through the sacraments. It is a vow of love, is obedience. It is a vow of service.

John Nelson returned to his England after his self exile to pursue his vocation. To look ahead to ordination and to return home must have also included his awareness that he returned to the mouth of the Lion and the likelihood of gruesome martyrdom.

John Nelson appears to have labored in London.

His apprehension took place 1 December, 1577, "late in the evening as he was saying the Nocturne of the Matins for the next day following", and he was committed to Newgate as a suspected Papist. Papist. No more derisive label possible for a priest in England of the 16th c.: nor for a young man in GSO 2011. Let John Nelson’s faith and fortitude strengthen you.

John Nelson’s arrest and its issue had been foretold by a demon he had exorcised a week before. Yes, Virginia, there is a devil, the evil one, satan. He does take possession of our souls, if we’re unlucky enough. The fact that John Nelson was an exorcist tells us more about him. The selection of priests to perform this ritual is not willy nilly. I spoke with a priest when I was in the novitiate who was an exorcist. It’s a hellacious responsibility! It tortures the soul. It requires a man who believes whole heartedly in the presence of Jesus and His powers to cast out evil spirits. The ultimate in channeling requires faith substantially greater than that of a mustard seed. A willingness to put your immortal soul on the line!

The High Commissioners in a few days by cross-examination induced John Nelson to say that the queen was a schismatic. This constituted high treason under the legislation of 1571. Speaking truth to power has its risks. And rewards – up to and including the reward of martyrdom. To do what is right has its benefits and its costs. John Nelson must have known them, must have witnessed the consequences of getting caught long before he headed off to Douay. Call upon this man to help you be responsible for your faith and religion regardless of whomever tries to lead you in some other direction.

John Nelson was providentially enabled to say Mass in Newgate, 30 January, 1577-8, and two days later he was brought to the bar and condemned. Thenceforward John Nelson was confined "in a most filthy underground dungeon", doubtless the Pit of the Tower, preparing by prayer and fasting for his end. We are all given the opportunity to attend Mass, every day, any one of which may be the eve of our death. From John the Baptist, heck, from the prophets of the Old Testament, we are reminded to pray and fast in preparation for our end, our beginning face to face with Jesus.

John Nelson was cut down alive, and his last words, when the hangman plucked out his heart, are reported to have been: "I forgive the queen and all the authors of my death." When The Evil Ones reach into your heart, are you strong enough to maintain your faith and, AND, offer your forgiveness to those who insisted that you were the one in the wrong, that you have been baptized and confirmed into the wrong, treasonous faith. The faith of your father, the one True Faith.

I love you
Dad
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