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6th July 1642. THOMAS AQUINAS OF JESUS, O.D.C.
(From F. Eusebius’ Enchiridion, p.202)
FR THOMAS AQUINAS was captured, and cast into prison.
He meditated on the words of the Apostle ‘I am apprehended by the Lord.”1
He confessed to a priest, celebrated Mass daily, fortifying himself.
He devoted the night to mental and vocal prayer; fasted and chastised his body. He besought the Blessed Mother and all the saints to succour him.
On the 6th of July, a messenger from the town Governor2 told him that he was to be hanged within an hour.
He thanked God, confessed again, and prepared for death.
He implored the assistance of his fellow-prisoners prayers. Holding a crucifix and a rosary he went joyously chanting the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Heretical ministers sought to persuade him but they were repulsed. Rather return,’he said to them, to the old faith taught by the Apostles, and hitherto professed by your own nation’
A minister told him he could give him a choice of offices in the army, provided he would ‘repent and not perish.’
Fr Thomas answered that his duty was not to hesitate to die for the faith.
A condemned woman, promised pardon on condition of renouncing her religion, was grievously tempted; but he confirmed her in the faith, andhaving made public profession, she cheerfully faced her doom.
Fr Thomas asked for the cause for which he was condemned.
The Puritan replied angrily:
‘Why do you ask of me the cause of your condemnation ; are you not a Papist, a priest, and a monk?’
‘It is so; it is enough,’ the Father replied ‘I am guilty of no crime. Let it therefore appear to all men that I die for the Catholic faith and the religious profession, for which I also die gladly.’
His body was taken away and interred. God, caused a brilliant heavenly light to shine over the Carmelite’s grave on the following night.
The soldiers went to the spot they thought the light had appeared. All was utter darkness; they were much terrified, and fled. They saw it again when they returned to their station.
The Captain proceeded with fifty men, to find the same darkness. He immediately fled. The Captain declared that the light must have issued from hell, then swore that the Papist was not buried there at all. The next morning he visited the grave, and found the body there.
He went about relating to all he met his wondrous visions and experiences of the previous eventful night.
Another soldier took the crucifix, which he refused to sell for any price, declaring that he would cherish it all his life.
1 Phil. ii.12
2 Lord Moore of Mellifont. See DAlton’s H. of Drogheda 1.226
Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.
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By Manus Mac Meanmain(From F. Eusebius’ Enchiridion, p.202)
FR THOMAS AQUINAS was captured, and cast into prison.
He meditated on the words of the Apostle ‘I am apprehended by the Lord.”1
He confessed to a priest, celebrated Mass daily, fortifying himself.
He devoted the night to mental and vocal prayer; fasted and chastised his body. He besought the Blessed Mother and all the saints to succour him.
On the 6th of July, a messenger from the town Governor2 told him that he was to be hanged within an hour.
He thanked God, confessed again, and prepared for death.
He implored the assistance of his fellow-prisoners prayers. Holding a crucifix and a rosary he went joyously chanting the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Heretical ministers sought to persuade him but they were repulsed. Rather return,’he said to them, to the old faith taught by the Apostles, and hitherto professed by your own nation’
A minister told him he could give him a choice of offices in the army, provided he would ‘repent and not perish.’
Fr Thomas answered that his duty was not to hesitate to die for the faith.
A condemned woman, promised pardon on condition of renouncing her religion, was grievously tempted; but he confirmed her in the faith, andhaving made public profession, she cheerfully faced her doom.
Fr Thomas asked for the cause for which he was condemned.
The Puritan replied angrily:
‘Why do you ask of me the cause of your condemnation ; are you not a Papist, a priest, and a monk?’
‘It is so; it is enough,’ the Father replied ‘I am guilty of no crime. Let it therefore appear to all men that I die for the Catholic faith and the religious profession, for which I also die gladly.’
His body was taken away and interred. God, caused a brilliant heavenly light to shine over the Carmelite’s grave on the following night.
The soldiers went to the spot they thought the light had appeared. All was utter darkness; they were much terrified, and fled. They saw it again when they returned to their station.
The Captain proceeded with fifty men, to find the same darkness. He immediately fled. The Captain declared that the light must have issued from hell, then swore that the Papist was not buried there at all. The next morning he visited the grave, and found the body there.
He went about relating to all he met his wondrous visions and experiences of the previous eventful night.
Another soldier took the crucifix, which he refused to sell for any price, declaring that he would cherish it all his life.
1 Phil. ii.12
2 Lord Moore of Mellifont. See DAlton’s H. of Drogheda 1.226
Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.