May 252012
Also known as
- Philip Morgan
- Philip Prosser
Profile
Son of Roger and Catherine Powel. Studied law, but left it for the seminary in Douai, France. Benedictine monk at Downside Abbey. Ordained in 1618. Returned to England in 1622 to minister to covert Catholics. Was working in Leighland, Somersetshire when the Civil War broke out. In 1645 he worked in Devonshire, and then as chaplain in the army of General Goring in Cornwall. On 22 February 1646 the ship he was taking to South Wales was captured, and he was denounced for the crime of being a priest in England. Imprisoned, he developed pleurisy. On 9 June 1646 he was convicted of priesthood. Martyr.
Born
- hanged, drawn and quartered on 3 August 1646 in Tyburn, London, England
- buried in the old churchyard at Moorfields
- some relics, including his personal crucifix, are preserved at Downside Abbey
- 8 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI (decree of martyrdom)
- if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed John, contact
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
39 Eccleston Square
London SW1V 1BX, UNITED KINGDOM
Additional Information
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- Hagiography Circle
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
MLA Citation