John Adams (Catholic martyr) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedJohn Adams |
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| Born | ca. 1543 Winterborne St Martin, Dorset, England |
| Died | 8 October 1586 (aged 42–43) Tyburn, London, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church (England) |
| Beatified | 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II |
John Adams was an English Catholic priest who lived from about 1543 to 1586. He is remembered as a martyr, meaning he died for his religious beliefs.
Contents
John Adams's Story
Early Life and Becoming a Priest
John Adams was born in a place called Winterborne St Martin in Dorset, England, around the year 1543. Not much is known about his very early life. He first became a Protestant minister.
Later, John Adams decided to join the Catholic Church. This was a big decision at a time when being Catholic in England could be very dangerous. To become a Catholic priest, he traveled to the English College, which was located in Rheims, France, at that time. He arrived there in December 1579.
He was made a priest in December 1580 in a town called Soissons. After his training, he prepared to return to England to serve the Catholic community there.
Working in England
John Adams first tried to go back to England in March 1581. However, he returned to Rheims and then set out for England again in June 1583. He was known to have worked in an area called Hampshire.
People described him as a man of about 40 years old, with dark hair and bright eyes. He was known for being very good at discussing religious topics. He was also described as straightforward, very religious, and a hard worker. He especially helped many poor people in Winchester and Hampshire.
Facing Danger and Arrests
Being a Catholic priest in England during this time was against the law. John Adams was captured in Winchester and taken to a prison in London called the Marshalsea in March 1584.
His punishment that time was to be sent away from England. He was expelled in September 1585 along with about 72 other priests. He landed in Boulogne, France, and then went back to Rheims in November 1585.
But John Adams did not stay away for long. He immediately decided to return to England again to continue his work.
His Final Days
Soon after returning, John Adams was arrested again in Winchester as he left his house. This time, he was taken to the Clink prison in London in December 1585.
The situation was much more serious this time. A new law had been passed that made it a very serious crime, punishable by death, to be a Catholic priest in England.
On October 8, 1586, John Adams was executed in Tyburn, London. He died for his faith, along with two other priests, John Lowe and Robert Dibdale.
Remembered Today
John Adams and the two other priests who died with him were later honored by the Catholic Church. They were "beatified" by Pope John Paul II on November 22, 1987. Beatification is an important step before someone can be declared a saint.
See also
- Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
- Douai Martyrs
- Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales
| Stages of Canonization in the Catholic Church |
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| Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint |
