(From O’DaIy’s Relatio, p. 335)

HE was Prior of Naas,1 a famous preacher of the word of God. He was seized by the heretics and brought before the Viceroy in Dublin, as teaching doctrine opposed to the Anglican creed and leading the people astray. 

He was cast into prison. 

When nothing could be proved that would deserve capital punishment, he was told he would be set free and amply rewarded if he would enter the Protestant sect. 

On the morning he was led to the scaffold, a messenger came from the Viceroy and these terms were again offered to him. 

But he answered fearlessly. ‘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 signed the promise and the paper was handed to the Father as he was about to mount the first step of the ladder. 

He took it in his hand with a smile; 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 standing round:

‘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 was cast off, his hanging body was frequently shaken by the executioner, and he sent forth a deep sigh, ‘Deo gratias.’ 

Having thus Confounded the hopes of the heretics, he died.2

See also Bruodin. 

1 The Dominican priory was founded in 1356 by one of the Eustace family; hence it was dedicated to St. Eustachius, a Roman martyr, whose feast is on December 20. See Hib. Dom., p. 293

2 De Burgo gives 1641 as the year of his death, on the authority of the General Chapter of 1656. Probably he follows the old style.

3 Life of James Duke of Ormonde, .278

4 This is, of course, a mistake. He was a Dominican.

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