(From Bruodin’s Propugnaculum, p. 465)

HE was a native of LeinSter, a priest, and a zealous preacher.

He was taken by the heretics and sent to Dublin, where he obtained a glorious victory for Christ. 

He was thrown into prison by order of the chief judge, and iron chain was bound round his body, his hands and feet were tied to a beam, and he was forced to stand for forty hours without sleep. 

He was flogged, and salt and vinegar were rubbed into his wounds by the executioners. 

Being then asked whether he would take the oath of Supremacy, he answered with great firmness, that he would rather die than swear that a woman, who St. Paul says should be silent in the church, was the Head of the Church.

The fierce and blood-thirsty judge, Walter Raleigh by name, angry at this answer, ordered Fernan to be put to the torture of the rack. 

The executioners had not been long engaged in drawing asunder the limbs of this confessor of Christ, when he exclaimed, Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit,’ and gave up his soul to his Creator March 12th 1597.

Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.