Saint of the Day: Bl. James Duckett

Martyr (d. 1602)

His life

+ James was born in Gilfortrigs, Westmoreland, England and was raised as a Protestant.

+ During his time as an apprentice book printer in London, he converted to the Catholic Faith after reading a book defending Catholic teachings, and he was imprisoned twice for refusing to attend Protestant services.

+ Around 1590 James married Anne Hart and their son, John, later became a Carthusian monk and recorded much of what we know about James, who helped support his family by secretly making vestments and altar linens for priests.

+ James remained committed to printing and disseminating Catholic books and was in and out of prison for the final years of his life. He was arrested for the last time on March 4, 1602, after having been found with 25 copies of a book by the Jesuit poet, priest and martyr Saint Robert Southwell.

+ Blessed James Duckett was executed at Tyburn, London, on April 19, 1602, and was beatified with other English martyrs in 1929.

For prayer and reflection

“See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, / upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death / and preserve them in spite of famine.”—Psalm 33:18-19

Prayer

O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies,

endow your people with heavenly gifts,

so that, possessed of perfect freedom,

they may rejoice in heaven

over what gladdens them now on earth.

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: Collect for Tuesday of the Octave of Easter)

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