Nicholas Woodfen
Nicholas Woodfen was born Nicholas Wheeler, but later also known as Nicholas Devereux, in Leominster, Herefordshire, England around 1550. Woodfen was an English Roman Catholic priest who was Hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn, London on 21 January 1586. He is considered a Catholic martyrs and part of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales who were executed between 1584 and 1679. He was beatified on 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II.
Early life, education and death
Woodfen was born Nicholas Wheeler in Leominster around 1550.[1] He was known as Nicholas Woodfen during his studies at the English College, Douai, Rheims, France and was ordained by the Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne (now known as Châlons-en-Champagne) on 25 March 1581.[2] He returned to England as a missionary at the Inns of Court in London. He was arrested for high treason and was known as Nicholas Devereux during his arraignment and conviction.[3] He was hung, drawn and quartered on January 21, 1586, at Tyburn in London, along with Edward Stransham for being a priest and his missionary work.[1][3]
Veneration and beatification
Woodfen was venerated on 10 November 1986 by Pope John Paul II and beatified on 22 November 1987 also by Pope John Paul II.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Blessed Nicholas Woodfen". Saints.SQPN.com. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
- ↑ "Alban Roe & Nicholas Woodfen - English Martyrs". St. Austin Review. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Challoner, Richard (2012). Memoirs of Missionary Priests and Other Catholics of Both Sexes That Have Suffered Death in England on Religious Accounts from the Year 1577 to 1684. Nabu Press. pp. 112–113. ISBN 1-173-76630-8. Retrieved 2012-07-08.