BL. ROGER DICKENSON, BL. RALPH MILNER & BL. LAWRENCE HUMPHREY (…. + 1591)

The Act of Supremacy enacted by the Parliament under Henry VIII made it a high treason not to acknowledge the British Monarch as the only head of the Church in England. Under Queen Elizabeth this draconian law was implemented with vengeance and a relentless persecution was let loose against those who owed allegiance to the Catholic Church with the Pope as its head. Consequently, all Catholic priests went underground to minister to the faithful in secret gatherings. One such undercover diocesan priest was Fr. Roger Dickenson. With spies and traitors all around, it was not surprising that Fr. Roger was arrested and imprisoned. In the meanwhile, Ralph Milner was a farm labourer with a wife and eight children. Inspired by the edifying life of his neighbours, he abandoned Protestantism and embraced the Catholic faith though it meant possible martyrdom. He was arrested on the very day he received his First Holy Communion and thrown into prison. The jailer was so impressed by the attitude and conduct of Ralph that he sent him on parole frequently. The intrepid Ralph utilized these opportunities to help Fr. Roger in his ministries. Both of them were brought to trial on the same day. Fr. Roger was sentenced to death for being a Catholic priest while Ralph was condemned for co-operating with him in his priestly ministry. The judge was moved with compassion at the sight of Mrs. Ralph and the couple’s eight children. He promised to spare his life if only he would visit a Protestant Church and then report that he had been there. However, he refused all inducements and stood firm in his newfound faith. Both Roger and Ralph together received the martyrs’ crown on July 7, 1591. Lawrence Humphrey was brought to the bosom of the Church by Fr. Stanley, a Jesuit priest. He was a promising youngster of twenty-one years when he was arrested and martyred.

Reflection:The Catholic Church in England not only successfully weathered the greatest storm ever witnessed in British history but also bounced back with rejuvenated stamina to serve as a launching pad for the evangelization of many pagan territories around the world. Did not Jesus Christ say that he would be with his Church till the end of times and that the powers of evil shall not prevail against it?

 “You will be dragged before Governors and Kings for my sake to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles.”

(Mt.10: 18)