John Amias facts for kids

John Amias was a Catholic priest from England who lived a long time ago. He died on March 16, 1589, because of his faith. The Catholic Church honored him by making him a "Blessed" person in 1929. This means he is recognized for his strong faith and actions.

The Life of John Amias

We don't know much about John Amias's early life. There are a few different stories about who he was before he became a priest.

His Early Life and Family

One story says that his real name was John Amias or Amyas. He was born in a town called Wakefield in Yorkshire, England. He got married and had children, working as a cloth-merchant. After his wife passed away, he shared his belongings with his children. Then, he decided to travel to mainland Europe to become a priest.

Another idea is that he might have been named William Anne. He was the youngest son of John and Katherine Anne, from a place called Frickley, near Wakefield. No matter his first name, he became a priest and was known as John Amias.

Becoming a Priest and Missionary

On June 22, 1580, a man known as "John Amias" joined the English College in Rheims. This college was a place where English Catholics could study to become priests. He was ordained as a priest on March 25, 1581, in the Rheims Cathedral.

Soon after, on June 5, 1581, Amias left for Paris and then returned to England. He went as a missionary priest. A missionary priest travels to different places to share their faith. He traveled with another priest named Edmund Sykes.

His Time in England and Capture

We don't know many details about his time as a missionary in England. At that time, it was very dangerous to be a Catholic priest in England. The government had made a law in 1585 that said being a Catholic priest in England was a serious crime.

Towards the end of 1588, John Amias was caught. He was at the house of a person named Mr. Murton in Melling, which is in Lancashire. After his capture, he was put in prison at York Castle.

His Final Days

Because of the strict laws against Catholic priests, John Amias was sentenced to a very harsh punishment. He was executed outside the city of York on March 16, 1589.

When he was about to be executed, John Amias tried to speak to the crowd. He wanted to explain that he was being punished for his religion, not for being a traitor. However, he was not allowed to finish speaking.

Another priest, Robert Dalby, faced the same fate as John Amias. Both priests were honored by Pope Pius XI on December 15, 1929. They were recognized as "Blessed" for their strong faith.

See also

• Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
• Douai Martyrs