Peter Wright (Jesuit) facts for kids

Peter Wright (born around 1603 – died May 19, 1651) was an English Jesuit priest. He is honored as a martyr by the Roman Catholic Church.

Early Life and Adventures

Peter Wright was born in Slipton, Northamptonshire, England. He was one of twelve children in his family. When Peter was young, his father passed away.

He started working at a lawyer's office in Thrapston when he was still a boy. After ten years, he decided to try something new. In 1627 or 1628, he joined the English army in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and Netherlands). However, he quickly realized that army life was not for him. He left after only one month and went to Brabant.

Becoming a Priest

During his youth, Peter had drifted away from his faith. While in Europe, he visited the English Jesuit priests in Liège. He asked to return to the Church.

After this, he went to Ghent and studied at the Jesuit college for two years. In 1629, he officially joined the Jesuits at Watten. He studied philosophy and theology in Liège. In 1639, he became a Catholic priest there.

Later, he was sent to work at the English College of St. Omer. He then became a chaplain for Colonel Sir Henry Gage. Sir Henry Gage led an English army group serving Spain near Ghent.

Arrest and Trial

In 1644, Sir Henry Gage returned to England to help King Charles I. Peter Wright went with him. They traveled to Oxford and then to Basing House, a large estate. Peter Wright was with Sir Henry Gage when he died in January 1645.

After Gage's death, Peter Wright became the chaplain for the owner of Basing House, the Marquess of Winchester. He served him first in Hampshire and later in London.

On February 2, 1650, Peter Wright was about to lead a church service. Suddenly, a group of officers called "pursuivants" broke into the London house. They arrested him.

Peter Wright was sent to Newgate Prison. His trial took place at the Old Bailey from May 14 to 16. This was a difficult time in England. King Charles I had been put on trial and executed just a year before, in 1649.

The main person who spoke against Peter Wright was Thomas Gage. He was the brother of Sir Henry Gage, but he had left the Catholic Church. Thomas Gage had met Peter Wright when he was a military chaplain. He told the court that Peter Wright was a Catholic priest.

Peter Wright was found guilty under a law from 1584 called the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584. This law made it illegal for Catholic priests to be in England. On May 17, he was sentenced to be executed.

Execution and Legacy

Peter Wright was executed at Tyburn, London on May 19, 1651. More than twenty thousand people came to watch. Many Jesuits were there in disguise to pray for him.

During his trial and after his death, many people respected Peter Wright. The officers in charge of his execution treated him kindly. They allowed him to die quickly, which was not always the case for people executed at that time.

His friends were allowed to take his body. Later, it was taken to the Jesuit college in Liege and buried there.

Pope Pius XI declared Peter Wright "Blessed" on December 15, 1929. His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on May 19.