Bede Jarrett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Very Rev.
Bede Jarrett
O.P.
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| Born |
Cyril Jarrett
22 August 1881 Greenwich, England
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| Died | 17 March 1934 (aged 52) London, England
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| Education |
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| Occupation | Clergyman, writer |
Bede Jarrett (born Cyril Jarrett, 1881–1934) was an English Dominican friar and Catholic priest. He was also a famous historian and writer. Jarrett wrote books like Mediæval Socialism and The Emperor Charles IV. He is also known for starting Blackfriars Priory at the University of Oxford in 1921. This brought the Dominican Order back to Oxford after a long time.
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Who Was Bede Jarrett?
Bede Jarrett was born Cyril Jarrett in Greenwich, England, on August 22, 1881. He was one of six sons. His father was Colonel H.S. Jarrett.
His Early Studies
In 1891, Bede Jarrett started studying at Stonyhurst school. In August 1898, he joined the Dominican Order. This order is also known as the Order of Preachers (OP). He joined at St Dominic's Priory in London.
Jarrett continued his studies at a special training center called a novitiate in Woodchester. On September 24, 1898, he became a novice and took a new name: Friar Bede. He chose this name after Bede, an early British Catholic saint. This saint is sometimes called the "Father of English History."
In 1900, Jarrett moved to Hawkesyard Priory. There, he studied philosophy, theology, and history. He also took on minor church roles.
Studying at Oxford
In 1904, Bede Jarrett made history. He became the first Dominican friar to study at the University of Oxford since the time of the Reformation. He joined St. Benet's Hall and studied history. He finished his degree in 1907.
While at Oxford, Jarrett became a priest. He was ordained in Woodchester on December 18, 1904. To complete his education, he earned a special degree in theology in 1908. He received this from the Louvain in Belgium.
Bede Jarrett's Career
After his studies, Bede Jarrett returned to St Dominic's Priory in London. This became his main home for a long time.
Becoming a Leader
At just 33 years old, Jarrett became the prior (a leader) at St Dominic's. This was in June 1914. Two years later, in September 1916, he was chosen as the provincial. This meant he was the main leader for all Dominicans in the area. He held this important job until he died in 1934. He was re-elected four times, which was a record!
As a leader, Jarrett achieved many things. He helped expand the Laxton Dominican School for Boys. He also started a series of lectures about the ideas of Thomas Aquinas (a famous philosopher). These lectures were sponsored by London University. He also started new missions for Dominicans in the Middle East and South Africa. He believed it was important for Dominicans to preach all over the world.
Founding Blackfriars Priory
One of Jarrett's biggest achievements was starting the Blackfriars Dominican priory in Oxford. Construction began on August 15, 1921. It took him eight years to raise enough money to build the new priory. People said he was very good at fundraising, especially during his trips to the United States.
Pope Benedict XV even sent a letter to congratulate and encourage him. The priory opened in 1929. However, it was not fully finished when Jarrett passed away.
His Writings
Bede Jarrett was also a very active writer. He wrote many books, prayers, and articles. He even wrote five entries for the Catholic Encyclopedia.
In 1919, he bought Blackfriars, a Dominican magazine. He paid £40 for it. He then convinced a publisher named Basil Blackwell to publish it. This saved the magazine from being stopped. The magazine was later renamed New Blackfriars in the 1960s.
His Death
Bede Jarrett died suddenly from an illness on March 17, 1934. He passed away at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in London. He was buried at the Dominican priory in Woodchester.
His Impact
- Bede Jarrett knew the famous author Graham Greene. Greene was also an Oxford graduate. Jarrett taught Greene's wife, Vivien, before she joined the Catholic Church in 1922. Jarrett also became the godfather to their daughter, Lucy Caroline Greene, in 1933. Some people believe that Jarrett's friendship and his writings, like Mediaeval Socialism, influenced Greene's own books.
- The Encyclopedia of World Biography says that Jarrett's book, The Emperor Charles IV, is the best biography of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV.
