Venerated in Catholic Church Education English College, Rome Died December 5, 1612, Tyburn | Role Martyr Name John Almond Beatified 1929 | |
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Canonized 1970, Rome by Pope Paul VI, as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales Feast 5 December
(25 October as part of the 40 Martyrs) Similar People Alexander Briant, Ralph Sherwin, Henry Morse, John Roberts, John Southworth | ||
Saint John Almond (c. 1577 – 5 December 1612) was an English Catholic priest. He was ordained in 1598 and martyred in 1612. Canonized in 1970, John Almond is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
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Early years and life as a skilled debater
John Almond was born around 1577 at Allerton (near Liverpool), and passed his childhood there and at Much Woolton, Lancashire until at the age of eight, he was taken to Ireland. He went to the English College in Rome, at the age of twenty, where he was ordained as a priest, returning to England as a missionary in 1602. He concluded his term there by giving the 'Grand Act' -- a public defence of theses which cover the whole course of philosophy and theology—and was warmly congratulated by Cardinals Caesar Baronius and Francesco Maria Tarugi, who presided.
Return to England and martyrdom
He returned to the dangers of England in 1602 as a secular priest and administered to the faithful there. He was arrested in 1608, and then again in 1612. In November 1612, seven priests escaped from prison. John Almond was hanged, drawn, and quartered on 5 December 1612 at Tyburn, London, England.