Historic Service recalls Jesuit martyrs of 1606

A historic Service was held in the Royal Chapel of the Tower of London last Saturday, 6 May, to commemorate the martyrdom of four English Jesuits in 1606.

Some 200 people, including a good number of Jesuits and a still larger number of friends and co-workers, gathered in the Chapel to celebrate the lives and witness of St Nicholas Owen (who died on the rack in the Tower), Blessed Edward Oldcorne and Blessed Ralph Ashley (who were executed near Worcester) and Fr Henry Garnet SJ - hanged near St Paul's Cathedral after being held in the Tower.

The congregation was welcomed warmly to the Chapel by the chaplain, the Reverend Paul Abram.  The Apostolic Nuncio and Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor were also present, the former speaking warmly of his association with the Society when stationed in Cuba and then in Zaire.

The service was inspired by the devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ current at the time of the martyrdoms in 1606.  After each of the five readings, there was a period of silence following which one of five candles was lit, each commemorating one of the four martyrs and the last the 1500 or more who died while imprisoned in the Tower.  The Choir of the Chapel Royal performed magnificently, singing music specially chosen for the occasion, and much dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.  The British Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, commented afterwards: 'Listening to the Choir singing Calvarie Mount in such a place, surrounded by the remains of so many who suffered so much for their faith, was an experience that will remain with us for a long time to come'.

The service was followed by a reception in the New Armouries.

Read the full text of the Provincial's Reflection during the Service by clicking on the link above.