Ralph Sherwin facts for kids

Ralph Sherwin was an English Roman Catholic priest who lived from 1550 to 1581. He is known as a martyr and a saint in the Catholic Church. He was put to death for his beliefs in 1581.

Early Life and Education

Ralph Sherwin was born in Rodsley, Derbyshire, England, on October 25, 1550. His parents were John and Constance Sherwin. He was baptized in Longford church.

He went to school at Eton College. In 1568, he received a special scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford. This was likely helped by his uncle, John Woodward. Ralph was a very good student, especially in classical studies.

He earned his first degree in 1571 and a master's degree in 1574. The next year, he became a Catholic.

Becoming a Priest

After becoming Catholic, Ralph Sherwin went to the English College in Douai. This was a special school for English Catholics who wanted to become priests. He was ordained as a priest on March 23, 1577.

Later, he traveled to Rome and stayed at the English College, Rome for almost three years. On April 18, 1580, Ralph and thirteen other priests left Rome. They went back to England to serve as missionaries. He arrived in England in early August and began his work, but it did not last long.

Arrest and Trial

On November 9, 1580, Ralph Sherwin was arrested in London while he was preaching. He was first held in the Marshalsea prison. While there, he helped many other prisoners become Catholic.

On December 4, he was moved to the Tower of London. He faced harsh treatment and was kept in a cell by himself without food. It is said that Queen Elizabeth I offered him a high position in the church if he changed his beliefs, but he refused.

After being in prison for a year, he was put on trial with Edmund Campion. They were accused of working against the Queen. He was found guilty in Westminster Hall on November 20, 1581.

Death and Legacy

Eleven days after his trial, on December 1, 1581, Ralph Sherwin was taken to Tyburn. He was executed along with Alexander Briant and Edmund Campion.

At the scaffold, Ralph Sherwin said he was innocent. He also clearly stated his Catholic faith and prayed for the Queen. His last words were, "Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, esto mihi Iesus!" which means "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, be Jesus to me!"

Becoming a Saint

A plaque in his birthplace erected by the Sherwin Society

Ralph Sherwin was the first student from the English College in Rome to be put to death for his faith. Over the next 100 years, more than forty other students from that college also became martyrs.

He was declared "blessed" (beatified) by Pope Leo XIII on December 29, 1886. He was later declared a saint (canonized) by Pope Paul VI on October 25, 1970. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Their shared feast day is October 25. Ralph Sherwin's individual feast day is celebrated on December 1, the day he died.

Remembering Ralph Sherwin

A Catholic church in Derby was named after Ralph Sherwin in 1981. However, this church was later taken down in 2018.

There is also a football club called Sherwin Football Club in Derby. It was started in 1973 and helps people of all ages play football and be part of the community.

See also

In Spanish: Ralph Sherwin para niños