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Feast Day: November 2
Death: November 1, 2
Blessed John Bodey, also known as Blessed John Slade, was born in 1549 in Wells, Somerset, England. He received a thorough education at Winchester and Oxford, where he excelled academically. In 1568, he became a fellow of New College, Oxford. However, his life took a significant turn when he converted to the Catholic faith.
In 1576, Blessed John Bodey traveled to Douai, France, to study law. It was during this time that his commitment to Catholicism deepened. He returned to England in February 1578 and took up the position of a schoolmaster. Notably, he was a married layman who repudiated King Henry VIII's claim of supremacy in spiritual matters.
Due to his steadfast devotion to the Catholic faith, Blessed John Bodey faced numerous tribulations. In 1580, he was arrested and subsequently spent three years in prison in Winchester. Despite the harsh conditions, he remained firm in his faith and unwavering in his beliefs.
The trial that would ultimately lead to his martyrdom took place in Winchester on the charge of harboring priests. Blessed John Bodey, along with fellow Catholic martyr Blessed John Slade, was tried and condemned for their religious convictions in April 1583. However, he was retried in Andover and, on 15 August 1583, convicted once again.
Blessed John Bodey was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for his faith. On 2 November 1583, he endured a martyr's death in Andover, England. His final words were "Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus," meaning "Jesus, Jesus, be to me Jesus." It is a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to Christ.
Recognizing the valor and sanctity of Blessed John Bodey's life and death, Pope Pius XI decreed his martyrdom on 8 December 1929. Just a week later, on 15 December 1929, he was beatified by the same Pope.
Although specific details regarding Blessed John Bodey's representation are not available, his profound commitment to Catholicism and his courageous stance against religious persecution make him a revered figure among the faithful. His feast days are celebrated on 2 November, 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai, and 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University. Blessed John Bodey's life serves as an inspiration to all those who strive to uphold their faith even in the face of adversity.