Saint of the Day: Bl. Robert Drury

Priest and Martyr (ca. 1567-1607)

His life

+ Robert was born in Buckinghamshire, England, during the English Reformation. After studying in France and Spain, he was ordained a priest and returned to England in 1593.

+ Focusing his clandestine ministry in London, he became part of a group of Catholic priests who courageously presented themselves to recognize the lawful sovereignty of Queen Elizabeth I, while still maintaining their spiritual obedience to the Bishop of Rome.

+ While it was hoped this compromise would secure the rights and safety of England’s Catholics, Elizabeth’s successor, King James I, was not satisfied with purely civil allegiance. Father Robert was subsequently arrested and refused to take an oath recognizing the king’s secular and spiritual primacy.

+ Blessed Robert Drury was martyred at Tyburn, London, on February 26, 1607. One aspect of his martyrdom that was noted by witnesses was the fact that he died wearing clerical dress. He was beatified with other martyrs of England and Wales in 1987.

For prayer and reflection

“These martyrs gave their lives for their loyalty to the authority of the Successor of Peter, who alone is Pastor of the whole flock. They also gave their lives for the unity of the Church, since they shared the Church’s fate, unaltered down the ages, that the Successor of Peter has been given the task of serving and ensuring ‘the unity of the flock of Christ.’ He has been given by Christ the particular role of confirming the faith of his brethren.”—Pope Saint John Paul II, homily at the beatification of the 85 Martyrs of England and Wales

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church remembers Saint Alexander, the patriarch of Alexandria. A key figure of the Council of Nicaea, he was a staunch opponent of Arius and his heretical teachings. Saint Alexander died in 326 and was succeeded by the great Saint Athanasius.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Robert to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.