Saint Who?
Saints of the Ordinary
Blessed Francis Taylor
Martyr († 1621)Feast: January 30
Francis was born in the town of Swords, Ireland, and his father was a wealthy merchant. After moving to Dublin, Francis married Gennet Shelton, who was from a prominent family. They had five sons and a daughter. He became a successful businessman and served in the local government as sheriff, alderman, treasurer, and mayor. He and his family, like most of the Irish, remained faithful Catholics despite constant pressure to become members of the Church of England.
Decades before Francis’ birth, King Henry VIII had introduced changes which granted England greater control over Ireland. The Irish accepted these changes and the changes of Henry’s successors (though not always peacefully) because the British Crown ensured that Protestants always maintained control of the House of Commons.
In 1613, new anti-Catholic laws were anticipated, and Francis was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament. He hoped to protect his people by opposing these measures. The Protestant mayor of Dublin was irate that a Catholic had been elected and demanded that non-Irish residents be allowed to vote in a second election. A Protestant was, of course, elected. Two years later, Francis was arrested and imprisoned. He spent five years in prison for his faith before his death and was immediately declared a martyr by the Irish people. Pope John Paul II agreed and beatified him three centuries later.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the courage
to suffer for the sake of justice.
