Thomas Reynolds (priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedThomas Reynolds |
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Painting in English College, Valladolid
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| Martyr | |
| Born | c.1562 |
| Died | 21 January 1642 Tyburn, London, England |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929, Rome by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 4 May |
Blessed Thomas Reynolds (born Thomas Green, around 1562 – January 21, 1642) was an English Catholic priest. He lived during a time when being Catholic in England was very difficult. He is remembered as a martyr because he died for his faith.
Early Life as a Priest
We are not sure exactly where Thomas Reynolds was born. It was likely in Oxfordshire, England. To become a priest, he had to leave England. He studied in places like Reims, France, and later in Spain. He became a priest in 1592.
After his studies, he secretly returned to England. He helped the Catholic community there. In 1606, he was arrested. This happened after the Gunpowder Plot, a plan to blow up Parliament. Being Catholic became much harder after that.
Thomas Reynolds was lucky. Instead of being executed, he was sent away from England. But he soon came back. He continued his secret work for about 20 more years. He was arrested again in 1628.
Time in Prison
Thomas Reynolds was put on trial and sentenced to death. However, the Queen, Henrietta Maria, who was Catholic, helped him. She asked for him to be spared. So, he was kept in prison instead.
His prison conditions were not too harsh. He was allowed to have visitors. Many Catholics came to see him. They sought his spiritual advice and received sacraments from him.
In 1635, he was released from prison. This was a time when the King was more friendly towards Catholics. So, some priests, like Reynolds, could work more openly. He helped the Catholic people in London regularly.
Trial and Execution
Things changed in 1640. The King needed money and had to call Parliament back. Many members of Parliament were Puritans. They did not like Catholics.
Because of this, life became very hard for Catholics and priests again. Priests were sent back to prison full-time. Trials and death sentences for priests started once more. Thomas Reynolds was one of the first victims.
In January 1642, the King had to leave London. Parliament took control of the city. At this time, Thomas Reynolds was tried. He was sentenced to a very harsh punishment. He was to be hung, drawn, and quartered.
Thomas Reynolds was 80 years old. He was a bit shy and not very strong. He admitted he was scared of facing death. He spent his last days praying. He also asked his fellow imprisoned priests to pray for him.
His Final Moments
On the morning of his execution, January 21, 1642, he felt calm. He said Mass in prison before being taken away. He was pulled on a cart from Newgate Prison to Tyburn. Another priest, Alban Roe, was with him.
At Tyburn, he spoke to the crowd for almost 30 minutes. He said that for 40 years as a priest, he had never done anything against the country. He said his only goal was to help people return to the Catholic Church.
He wished Parliament well. He prayed for the King, Queen, and all of England. He asked for forgiveness from anyone he had upset. He also forgave those who had acted against him.
He thanked the sheriff who was in charge of the execution. He prayed that God would bless the sheriff. The sheriff was very impressed. He said he had never seen anyone die like Thomas Reynolds.
After speaking, Reynolds knelt to pray. He and Alban Roe hugged each other. They recited a psalm together. Then, the cart was pulled away. The sheriff allowed them to hang until they died. This spared them from more suffering. Many Catholics in the crowd dipped cloths in their blood. They wanted these cloths as special mementos.
Thomas Reynolds was later recognized as a saint. Pope Pius XI declared him "Blessed" on December 15, 1929. He is part of a group known as the One Hundred and Seven Martyrs of England and Wales.
