Saint of the Day – 13 April – Blessed Edward Catherick (c1605-1642) Priest Martyr. Born around 1605 in York, England and died in York, by being hung, drawn and quartered during the reign of Charles I. Also known as – Edmund.
Edward Catherick was born in 1605 in York. Drawn to the priestly life from a young age, he went to the continent to study and receive Ordination which took place in 1634.
Upon returning to England, he devoted himself fervently to his ministry, preaching the Word of God and administering the Sacraments to persecuted Catholics.
He was arrested in 1641, imprisoned in York along with John Lockwood. Despite the pressure and torture they endured during their imprisonment, both Priests remained steadfast in their faith. Lockwood, although eighty-seven years old and having already escaped capital punishment twice, chose to precede the younger Catherick to the scaffold, to encourage him to pursue his glorious Martyrdom. On 13 April 1642, the two Priests were led to the scaffold and hanged.
In 1929, Edward Catherick and John Lockwood were Beatified by Pope Pius XI. Their Liturgical memory is celebrated today 13 April, the day of their Martyrdom.
AnaStpaul 