John Stone (martyr) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint John Stone O.S.A.
Augustinian Friar and Martyr
Died	7 or 27 December 1539 Canterbury, England
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	9 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized	25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Feast	23 December (individual, formerly 12 May), 25 October (collectively with Forty Martyrs of England and Wales)
Attributes	Augustinian habit, martyr's palm, shackles
Patronage	University of Kent Catholic Society Anglican converts to Catholicism Archdiocese of Westminster

John Stone, a member of the Augustinian religious order (O.S.A.), was an English friar. He was put to death, most likely in December 1539, because of his beliefs. He was later recognized as a saint in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. John Stone was a highly educated religious scholar from Canterbury.

John Stone's Early Life

We don't know much about John Stone's early years or his education. We think he joined the Augustinian friars in Canterbury, which is also where he died. He became a "doctor of theology," meaning he had studied religion and the Church's teachings very deeply. He lived at the Augustinian monastery in Canterbury. The area where this monastery once stood is still called Whitefriars today. John Stone was from Canterbury. After becoming a priest, he worked as a teacher and a leader (called a Prior) in Droitwich for a while before returning to Canterbury.

Standing Up to the King

During the time King Henry VIII wanted to divorce Queen Catherine, his helpers tried to get John Stone to agree with the king. Because Stone was a respected scholar, they hoped his opinion would help the king. However, John Stone strongly believed the divorce was wrong and against what was fair and moral.

Later, during a period called the Reformation Parliament, John Stone spoke out publicly. He preached against King Henry VIII's claim to be the head of the Church in England. This was a very brave thing to do.

The Act of Supremacy

In 1534, a new law called the Act of Supremacy was passed. This law said that the king was the only supreme head of the Church in England. Another law, the Treasons Act, made it a serious crime (treason) to try and take away the king's new title as head of the Church. All religious leaders, including priests and friars, had to sign a paper agreeing that Henry VIII was the head of the Church.

John Stone's Arrest

On December 14, 1538, a bishop named Richard Yngworth came to Canterbury. He had orders to close down the Augustinian monastery. This was part of a bigger plan by the king to close many monasteries in England. The friars at Stone's monastery were very poor.

When the monastery was closed, each friar had to sign two documents. One said they agreed the king was the head of the Church. The other said they were giving up their monastery willingly. John Stone was the only one who refused to sign. He clearly stated his objections to the king's claims over the Church. Because of this, he was immediately separated from the other friars. Officials tried to make him change his mind, even using threats.

The king's officers sent John Stone to Thomas Cromwell in London. Cromwell was a powerful advisor to the king. Cromwell also tried to convince Stone, but he failed. So, Cromwell ordered John Stone to be put in the Tower of London prison. In October 1539, Stone was sent back to Canterbury for his trial.

Trial and Execution

John Stone's trial happened in Guildhall Street in Canterbury. The judges found him guilty of treason. The punishment for treason was death. There was no way to appeal the decision. The sentence was given on December 6. Stone was then taken to Westgate tower to wait for his execution.

His execution was likely on Saturday, December 27, 1539. It seems his death was planned to happen around the time Anne of Cleves, who was coming to marry King Henry VIII, was visiting Canterbury. The cost of Stone's execution was very high, much more than usual. This suggests it was a special event.

The Execution Site

The execution did not happen at the usual place. Instead, it took place at a well-known spot called the Dongeon, now known as the Dane John. This was a hill inside the city walls. Money was spent on wood to build the gallows. John Stone was taken to this hill outside the city walls. He was not only hanged, but also drawn and quartered. This was a very harsh punishment for those considered traitors. His head and body parts were put on display at the city entrance. This was meant to be a warning to anyone else who might challenge the king.

Before he died, Stone said, "Behold I close my apostolate in my blood, in my death I shall find life, for I die for a holy cause, the defence of the Church of God, infallible and immaculate." He was hanged, drawn and quartered. His heart and other organs were burned. Because he was seen as a traitor, his head and body were displayed at the city's entrance.

Honoring John Stone

People soon began to honor John Stone as a martyr, someone who died for their faith. Later, in the 1500s, Pope Gregory XIII approved a painting of Stone as a martyr in the English College in Rome. He also allowed an image of him to be printed in 1584.

John Stone's name was put at the top of a list of martyrs from the English Reformation. These names were sent to Rome to begin the process of making them saints. John Stone was declared "blessed" (beatified) by Pope Leo XIII on December 9, 1886. He was then made a saint (canonised) by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970. He is one of the Forty Martyrs, a group chosen to represent Catholics who died for their faith in England and Wales between 1535 and 1679.

Saint John Stone is the patron saint of the University of Kent Catholic Society. His feast day is May 12, but the Augustinians remember him on October 25.

Images for kids

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  Saint John Stone

There is a painting of Stone, along with other Augustinian saints, in the Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles.

An illustration of St. John Stone by János Hajnal can be found in a book called "Il Fascino di Dio: Profili de Agiografia Agostiniana" by Fernando Rojo Martínez, O.S.A. The original artwork is kept in Rome.

A book titled "Saint John Stone; Austin Friar Martyr 1539" was published in 1970 by Benedict Hackett. Its first page has a picture of Stone.

You can also see stained glass windows showing the martyr in these churches:

• St. Maurice at Resurrection Church, Dania Beach, in Miami.
• St. Augustine's Church, Hammersmith, London.
• St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.