Alban Roe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintAlban Roe O.S.B. |
|
|---|---|
Sculpture in St Albans Cathedral, depicted holding a hand of playing cards
|
|
| Priest and Martyr | |
| Born | 20 July 1583 Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England |
| Died | 21 January 1642 (aged 58) Tyburn, London, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929, Rome by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970, Rome by Pope Paul VI |
| Feast | 21 January and 25 October |
| Attributes | Benedictine habit, heart in hand, noose around neck, martyr's palm, playing cards |
| Patronage | Ampleforth Abbey |
Alban Roe (born 20 July 1583 – died 21 January 1642) was an English Benedictine priest. He is remembered as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. These were people who died for their Catholic faith in England during a time when it was against the law to be a Catholic priest.
Contents
Who Was Alban Roe?
Alban Roe was born Bartholomew Roe in 1583 in Suffolk, England. He grew up as a Protestant. Later, he and his brother James decided to become Catholics. Both of them then became Benedictine monks.
Alban Roe was known for his cheerful and determined spirit. He was also quite strong-willed and sometimes had a fiery personality! This made him a unique monk.
A Time of Change for Monks
During Alban Roe's life, many monasteries in England had been closed down. This was called the dissolution of the monasteries. Because of this, Benedictine monks often lived in small groups or even alone. This was very different from their usual community life.
How Alban Roe Became Catholic
Alban Roe's journey to Catholicism was quite interesting. He once tried to convince a Catholic prisoner to become a Protestant. But during their discussion, the Catholic prisoner actually convinced him instead!
After this, Alban Roe felt very unsure about his own religion. He read a lot and talked with Catholic priests. Soon, he became completely sure that the Catholic faith was right for him. He wanted to share this new understanding with others. So, in 1607, he went to the English College, Douai to study to become a priest.
A Strong Personality at College
While at college, Alban Roe sometimes had disagreements. He was not afraid to speak his mind. For example, when some cupboards were removed near his bed, he joked, "If you pull down, I will build up!"
Because of his strong personality and sometimes challenging behavior, he was asked to leave the college in 1610. But Alban Roe didn't give up easily. He gathered support and appealed the decision. This helped him later join another Benedictine community in France in 1613. He became a priest in 1615.
His Work as a Priest and Arrests
After becoming a priest, Alban Roe returned to England to serve Catholic communities. However, being a Catholic priest in England at that time was against the law. He was arrested and sent out of the country soon after he arrived.
He came back to England in 1618 and was put in prison until 1623. He was released again, but he returned two years later. This time, he was kept in the Fleet prison for 17 years!
Life in Prison
The Fleet prison was not very strict. Alban Roe was allowed to leave during the day to help people, as long as he returned to his cell at night. He was very eager to help people become Catholic. Since he didn't have a church, he would even play cards with people in pubs! The stakes for these games were not money, but short prayers. This surprised some people, but since he was already in prison, there wasn't much more they could do to him.
He also had many visitors in prison. He would teach them prayers and helped many people become Catholic. He also translated several religious books into English.
Trial and Final Days
In 1641, Alban Roe was moved to the much stricter Newgate prison. In 1642, he was put on trial. He was found guilty of treason for being a Catholic priest. At that time, being a Catholic priest in England was considered a serious crime against the government.
During his trial, Alban Roe at first refused to plead guilty or not guilty. The main witness against him was someone he had helped before. Thinking he could change the witness's mind, he then pleaded not guilty. He also joked with the judge and jury, making the trial seem less serious. He told the judge that he was willing to suffer anything for his faith.
The judge sent him back to prison. There, other priests advised him to follow the example of others and let the court try him. The jury quickly found him guilty. Alban Roe then bowed to the judge, thanking him for this "great favor" of being found guilty for his faith.
The judge delayed his sentence for a few days. During this time, many people visited Alban Roe in prison. Someone even managed to sneak in items so he could celebrate Mass in his cell.
Execution
On the morning of 21 January 1642, Alban Roe and another priest, Thomas Reynolds, were taken from Newgate Prison to Tyburn, the place of execution.
At Tyburn, Alban Roe spoke to the crowd in a cheerful way about why he was dying. He even asked the Sheriff if he could save his life by becoming a Protestant. When the Sheriff agreed, Alban Roe turned to the crowd and said, "See then what the crime is for which I am to die and whether religion be not my only treason?" This showed everyone that he was dying only because of his faith.
He made a big impression on the people watching. After his death, people rushed to dip handkerchiefs in his blood or pick up straws with his blood on them, seeing them as special relics.
Becoming a Saint
Alban Roe was declared "venerable" in December 1929 by Pope Pius XI. Just one week later, on 15 December, he was "beatified." This is an important step towards becoming a saint.
Nearly 40 years later, on 25 October 1970, Alban Roe was made a saint by Pope Paul VI. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Their common feast day is 25 October. Alban Roe's feast day is also celebrated on 21 January, the day he died.
The Benedictine communities that Alban Roe belonged to later returned to England. One of them settled at Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire.
Namesake in the United States
A Catholic church named St. Alban Roe Catholic Church was started in 1980 in Wildwood, Missouri, in the United States. It also has a small school with the same name.
See Also
Images for kids
-
Sculpture in St Albans Cathedral, showing Saint Alban Roe holding playing cards.
