Jesuit martyrs remembered at shrine

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, was Principal Celebrant and Preacher at Mass during the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the English Martyrs at Harvington Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, on 3 September.

The manor house was built by Humphrey Pakington (1555-1631) a courtier from the household of the Lord Chancellor Ellesmere, who managed to practice his Catholic faith in secret during a time of great persecution.  Harvington Hall has the finest surviving series of priest-holes anywhere in the country and during Elizabethan times offered shelter to many recusant priests.  Several hundred pilgrims and priests from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham were present , and the concelebrants - who included Bishop Philip Pargeter, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, as well as Archbishop Longley, wore red vestments in honour of the English Martyrs.

The four martyrs especially venerated at Harvington, who worked at various times in the area, include two Jesuits: St Nicholas Owen - who built many of the priests' holes during the Catholic persecution and died under torture in the Tower on 2 March 1606, and was canonised in 1970; and Blessed Edward Oldcorne - executed at Red Hill, Worcester on 7 April 1606 and beatified in 1929.  Also honoured at the shrine are St John Wall - hung, drawn and quartered at Red Hill, Worcester on 2 August 1679, and canonised in 1970; and Bl Arthur Bell - executed at Tyburn on 11 December 1643 and beatified in 1987.

During his homily Archbishop Bernard Longley said: 'The witness of the martyrs here at Harvington Hall is an inspiration to all of us.  When we reflect on their courage and loving steadfastness in the face of opposition and menace we are moved to make apology to our Lord for the comparative weakness of our own faith.  Today's pilgrimage isn't only a lovely day out, but it fires us again with enthusiasm for the mission that Christ has entrusted to us in our own time, just as the Holy Father's visit and example have given us fresh courage to follow and serve our Lord.'

Source: ICN/Peter Jennings