Robert Sutton (martyr) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blessed Robert Sutton |
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Statue of Bl. Robert Sutton at Our Lady of Victories Church, Lutterworth
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| Born | c. 1543-1545 Burton-on-Trent, England |
| Died | 27 July 1588 (aged 42–45) Stafford, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1987 by Pope John Paul II |
Robert Sutton was an English Roman Catholic priest. He was born around 1543-1545 in Burton-on-Trent and died on July 27, 1588, in Stafford. He is remembered as a Catholic martyr, meaning he died because of his faith. He was honored as "Blessed" by the Catholic Church in 1987.
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His Early Life and Faith
Robert Sutton was born in Burton-on-Trent, England, between 1543 and 1545. He was baptized on September 11, 1545. His father worked as a carpenter.
In 1566, Robert became an Anglican minister. This was a religious leader in the Church of England. He also earned a master's degree from Christ Church, Oxford, in 1567. By 1571, he was in charge of a church in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
Robert later decided to become a Catholic. His younger brother, William, who later became a Jesuit (a member of a Catholic religious order), helped him make this change.
Becoming a Catholic Priest
In 1576, Robert and his younger brother Abraham traveled to Douai, a city where many English Catholics went to study. They both became deacons and then priests in 1577.
In 1578, they returned to England to serve as Catholic priests. At that time, being a Catholic priest in England was against the law. In 1585, Robert and Abraham were arrested and sent out of the country.
His Death
Robert Sutton secretly returned to England. He was arrested again while leading a Catholic Mass in Stafford. He was found guilty simply for being a Catholic priest.
On July 27, 1588, Robert Sutton was executed at Gallows Flat in Stafford. He was sentenced to a harsh punishment for his faith. He died as a martyr, showing great courage for his beliefs.
Honored as a Saint
Robert Sutton was officially declared "Blessed" by Pope John Paul II in 1987. This is an important step towards becoming a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Special Reminders
After Robert Sutton's death, some Catholics wanted to keep special items connected to him. These items are called relics and are kept as reminders of holy people. One such item was given to Father John Gerard and is now kept at Stonyhurst College. Later, it was moved to Our Lady of Victories Church in Lutterworth.
Another special item was found in 1850 at Sutton Place, Surrey. It was a bone with a note that said "R. Sutton, Staffordiae," which means Robert Sutton of Stafford. This item is now kept at St. Edmund's Church, Sutton Park.
See also
- Douai Martyrs
- Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy
