Saint of the Day – 5 October – Blessed William Hartley, Blessed John Hewett & Blessed Robert Sutton

All martyrs from England murdered on 5 October 1588., all beatified by Pope Pius XI.

Blessed William Hartley was an English priest. Born in Wilne, Derbyshire and raised Protestant, he studied at Oxford University and became an Anglican minister before converting to Catholicism. He studied in Rheims, France and was ordained in 1580. Returning to England, he worked with Bl Edmund Campion, ministering to covert Catholics. Arrested in 1582 for being a priest, he was deported but soon returned to England to resume his ministry. He was captured at Holborn, and hanged on 5 October 1588 at Shoreditch, London.

Blessed John Hewett, also known as John Hewitt, John Weldon, John Savell. He was born in York, North Yorkshire, the son of a draper. Educated at Caius College, Cambridge, he studied for the priesthood at Rheims, France, and was ordained in 1586. Returning to England as a covert priest, he used the names Weldon and Savell to hide his identity. Arrested at Grey’s Inn Lane, London, on 10 March 1587 for the crime of priesthood, and hanged on 5 October 1588 at Mile End Green, London.

Blessed Robert Sutton, layman martyr, was a tutor or schoolmaster, born at Kegworth in Leicestershire, who had practiced his profession in Paternoster Row, London. Sometime prior to June 1586, he met there a Mr. Blythe (a.k.a. Oliver Heywoode), an old priest working in the area of Newgate, and converted to Catholicism. He was soon arrested, incarcerated and hanged in 1588 at Clerkenwell, London.

He must of right concede that, although very much might be done before Christ, yet that something more might be done after Christ, since to His times all fullness is attributed.

The Life and Passion of St Cyprian (Pontius)