John Boste facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintJohn Boste |
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From the cover of the book "The Life and Times of Saint John Boste: Catholic Martyr of Durham 1544 - 1594" by Simon Webb.
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| Priest and Martyr | |
| Born | c. 1544 Dufton, Westmorland, England |
| Died | 24 July 1594 (aged 49 – 50) Durham, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI |
| Feast | 4 May (all English Martyrs) 24 July (individual) 25 October (collectively with Forty Martyrs of England and Wales) 29 October (one of the Douai Martyrs) |
| Attributes | crucifix |
John Boste (born around 1544 – died 24 July 1594) is a very important figure in the Catholic Church. He is known as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. These were people who died for their Catholic faith during a difficult time in English history.
Contents
Who Was Saint John Boste?
John Boste was born in a place called Dufton in Westmorland, England, around the year 1544. His father, Nicholas Boste, owned land in Dufton and Penrith. His mother was Janet Hutton.
Early Life and Education
John went to school at Appleby Grammar School. Later, he studied at Queen's College, Oxford, which is a famous university. He earned two degrees there. In 1572, he became a fellow of his college. This meant he was a senior member of the university.
Two years later, he returned to Appleby. He became the first headmaster of the school under a new charter from Queen Elizabeth I.
Becoming a Priest and Missionary
In 1576, John Boste decided to become a Catholic. At that time, being Catholic in England was very risky. He left England and traveled to Reims, a city in France. There, he was ordained as a priest in March 1581.
John Boste came back to England in April 1581. He landed in Hartlepool and then went to East Anglia. He even pretended to be a servant in a Catholic household in London. After that, he went north.
He worked as a missionary priest in Northern England. A missionary priest travels to different places to teach people about their faith. John Boste often worked with another person named John Speed. They mostly worked around Brancepeth Castle. This castle belonged to Lady Margaret Neville.
John Boste was very good at his work. The authorities, who were against Catholicism, wanted to catch him. In 1584, a powerful group called the Privy Council ordered his arrest. They even searched his brother Laurence's house. Lord Huntingdon, a powerful official, called Boste "the great stag of the North." This showed how important he was to the Catholic community.
Arrest and Martyrdom
John Boste managed to avoid being caught for ten years. But in 1593, he was betrayed near Durham. A former Catholic named Francis Egglesfield told the authorities where he was.
John Boste was leaving a secret Mass at a place called the Waterhouse. Egglesfield asked him for a blessing. When Boste gave it, it was a signal to the soldiers nearby. They rushed into the Waterhouse. Boste was found hiding in a secret space called a priest hole behind a fireplace.
After his arrest, he was taken to the Tower of London. There, he was questioned using a painful method called the rack. This was done by a man named Richard Topcliffe.
John Boste was then sent back to Durham. He was found guilty by the court. On 24 July 1594, he was executed in a very harsh way at Dryburn. This place is now where St. Leonard's school stands.
John Boste said he was not a traitor. He told them, "My job is to help people's souls, not to get involved in wars." As he was about to die, he recited a prayer called the Angelus. His execution was very brutal. He was cut down while still alive and then cruelly butchered.
Honoring Saint John Boste
John Boste is honored by the Catholic Church for his faith and sacrifice.
Beatification and Canonization
In 1929, Pope Pius XI declared John Boste "Blessed." This is the first step towards becoming a saint. Later, in 1970, Pope Paul VI made him a saint. He was canonized as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast day for all the English Martyrs on 4 May. John Boste's individual memorial day is on 24 July, the day he died. He is also remembered with other Douai Martyrs on 29 October.
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