English martyrs

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According to Venerable English College, during the Catholic persecution in England, students would gather around the “Martyrs’ Picture” in the chapel to sing the Te Deum — a Latin hymn of thanksgiving — whenever news reached Rome of the martyrdom of a former student. This custom continues today on Martyrs’ Day, Dec. 1, when the relics of the martyrs, preserved beneath the altar, are venerated by the students.

English seminary in Rome commemorates Martyrs’ Day on St. Ralph Sherwin’s feast

Dec 2, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Dec. 1, the Venerable English College in Rome commemorates the martyrdom of some of the school’s former students. Read more

St. Edmund Arrowsmith | An altar display of items associated with 17th century English Martyr St. Edmund Arrowsmith.

The enduring legacy of St. Edmund Arrowsmith, martyred for celebrating the Mass

Oct 1, 2022

By Joseph Kellaway-Burnell

The hand of St. Edmund Arrowsmith has pride of place in the Church of St. Edmund and St. Oswald in... Read more

The bones which are believed to belong to English martyr and priest St. John Plessington. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Shrewsbury/Simon Caldwell.

Naming the unknown martyr: could these remains be St. John Plessington?

Oct 14, 2015

The English priest St. John Plessington was among dozens martyred because of an anti-Catholic hoax in the seventeenth century. Now... Read more

Blessed Roger Wrenno.

Relaunch of English martyrs film brings stories to US audience

May 1, 2014

By Carl Bunderson

“Faith of Our Fathers,” a powerful 2013 film telling stories of the Catholic martyrs of the English Reformation, has been... Read more