Edmund Gennings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintEdmund Gennings |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Martyr | |
| Born | c. 1567 Lichfield, England |
| Died | 10 December 1591 (aged 23 - 24) Gray's Inn, London, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI |
| Feast | 10 December, 25 October |
| Attributes | priest's biretta, book of hours |
Edmund Gennings (born around 1567 – died 10 December 1591) was an English martyr. He was put to death during the English Reformation because he was a Roman Catholic priest. He came from a town called Lichfield in Staffordshire.
Contents
Who Was Edmund Gennings?
Edmund Gennings was born in Lichfield, England, in 1567. He was a serious and thoughtful boy who was interested in faith from a young age.
Early Life and Becoming a Priest
When he was about 16, Edmund became a page for a Catholic gentleman named Richard Sherwood. Edmund was very impressed by Sherwood's strong faith. When Sherwood left England to become a priest, Edmund decided to follow him.
He went to the English College in Rheims, France. There, he studied to become a priest. In 1590, when he was only 23 years old, he was ordained as a priest in Soissons.
His Mission in England
After becoming a priest, Edmund Gennings quickly returned to England. It was a dangerous time for Catholics in England. He used a different name, "Ironmonger," to stay safe.
He landed in Whitby and immediately went to his hometown of Lichfield. He wanted to find his family, but he learned that most of them had passed away. He found out that his younger brother had moved to London.
Edmund traveled to London and searched for his brother for a whole month. He finally found him, but his brother did not want to join Edmund's faith. Instead, he asked Edmund to leave, fearing he would get into trouble. After this, Edmund went back to France.
Arrest and Martyrdom
Edmund Gennings returned to London in 1591. His time as a missionary priest was short. On 7 November 1591, he and another priest, Polydore Plasden, were celebrating Mass (a Catholic church service). They were in the house of Swithun Wells in Gray's Inn, London.
Suddenly, officers led by Richard Topcliffe burst in and arrested them. Edmund Gennings was executed outside the same house on 10 December 1591. He was put to death for being a Catholic priest. Swithun Wells was also executed right after him.
Edmund's younger brother, John Gennings, was deeply affected by his brother's death. John later became a Catholic himself and wrote a book about Edmund's life in 1614.
Honored as a Saint
Edmund Gennings is considered a martyr by the Catholic Church. He was made a saint on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Their special day is celebrated on 25 October.
In 1967, a Catholic church was built in New Invention, Willenhall, England. It was named after Saint Edmund Gennings.
