(From O’DaIy’s Relatio, p. 335)

HE was Prior of Naas,[1] and a famous preacher of the word of God. 

He was seized by the heretics and brought before the Viceroy of Ireland in Dublin, as teaching doctrine opposed to the Anglican creed and leading the people astray. 

For this he was cast into prison. 

But when nothing could be proved against him that would deserve capital punishment by the laws of the country, he was told he would be set free and amply rewarded if he would abandon the Catholic religion and enter the Protestant sect. 

On the very morning that he was to be led to the scaffold, a messenger was sent by the Viceroy to the Father in prison, and these terms were again offered to him. 

But he answered wisely and fearlessly. 

Today.’ Said he, ‘I am about to be led to the scaffold; and everyone knows well that human nature is unwilling to face death; nor am I so weary of life as to wish to hasten my death, did not necessity oblige me. 

The Viceroy has deigned to send me a promise written out by his own hand, which gives me complete and unhindered choice between life and death, so that if through love of life I should abandon my religion, the presence of death would in some measure excuse me from blame.’ 

The Viceroy thinking that he was terrified and almost overcome, ordered the execution to be carried out; he signed the promise under the aforesaid condition, and the paper was handed to the courageous Father as he was about to mount the first step of the ladder. 

He took it in his hand with a smile. 

The heretics showed their delight, thinking they would lead off this convert in triumph; perhaps the Catholics dreaded the scandal that would be given. 

But the man of God, in full possession of all his faculties, did not stop short; he went up with still greater delight; and when he had reached the top, he held out the letter signed by the Viceroy, and from his own writing proved the judge guilty of passing an unjust sentence. 

Then he addressed the Catholics who were standing round, in this manner:

‘Dearest brethren, member of the holy Roman Catholic Church, ever since I fell into the cruel hands of these heretics who are here, I have endured hunger, insult, and imprisonment in dark and noisome places. 

I knew not why I should suffer such penalties; and I was in doubt whether I should obtain the martyr’s crown. 

For it is not the punishment but the cause that makes the martyrs. 

But Almighty God who protects the innocent, disposing all sweetly, has brought things about so that, accused as a seducer- and arraigned for certain crimes made such by the laws of this kingdom, the sole reason why I am condemned to death to-day is that I profess the Catholic religion. 

Here is the authentic proof of my innocence, the autograph letter of the Viceroy, offering to me very rich rewards and my life if I abandon the Catholic religion. 

I call God and man to witness that I firmly and unhesitatingly reject these offers, 

and that willingly and gladly I enter into this conflict Professing that faith.’

He then threw the paper to a friend of his, and bade the executioner do his duty. 

After he had been cast off, his body still hanging was frequently shaken by the executioner, and while it hung quietly, he sent forth a deep sigh, ‘Deo gratias.’ 

Having thus defeated the cunning of the Viceroy and Confounded the hopes of the heretics, he died.[2]

Carte gives the following account of his death:[3]-

There was one Father Higgins, a Franciscan,[4] a very quiet, inoffensive, pious man, much respected by those who knew him, who officiated as a Roman Catholic Priest at the Naas and in the neighbourhood. <

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