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Feast Day: July 4
Blessed John Cornelius, also known as John Mohun, was born in 1557 in Bodmin, Lanherne, Cornwall, England, on the estate of Sir John Arundell, to Irish immigrant parents. He received his education at Oxford and became a fellow of Exeter College, where he excelled in his studies.
John Mohun's deep spiritual yearning led him to pursue theology at Rheims, France, and later at the English College in Rome, Italy, starting on 1 April 1580. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in Rome in 1583. Filled with zeal for his faith, he returned to England as a missionary, facing the constant struggle between his desire to work with the faithful and his love for the meditative life.
During his time in England, Blessed John Cornelius served as the chaplain to Lady Arundell, a position that allowed him to provide spiritual guidance and support to the Catholic community. However, his activities did not go unnoticed by the authorities.
On 24 April 1594, Blessed John Cornelius was arrested at Chideock Castle by the Sheriff of Dorsetshire, along with Blessed John Carey, Blessed Thomas Bosgrave, and Blessed Patrick Salmon, who were known to support the priest. While imprisoned, he made the courageous decision to join the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, thus solidifying his commitment to his faith.
Blessed John Cornelius faced severe torture in London as the authorities sought to extract information about individuals who had aided or sheltered him. Despite the agonizing pain inflicted upon him, he steadfastly refused to disclose any names. His loyalty to his faith and his fellow Catholics remained unshakable.
Tragically, Blessed John Cornelius was condemned for the crime of treason solely because he was a Catholic priest on 2 July 1594. On 4 July 1594, he was ultimately hanged and then hacked to pieces in Dorchester, Oxfordshire, England. In a testament to the devotion and reverence he commanded among local Catholics, his body was later stolen and properly buried.
Blessed John Cornelius is venerated as a martyr and recognized for his unwavering dedication to his faith and his refusal to compromise his principles even in the face of severe persecution. Pope Pius XI declared his martyrdom on 8 December 1929 and beatified him on 15 December 1929.
Through his life and martyrdom, Blessed John Cornelius serves as an inspiration to those who value religious freedom and the courage to stand firm in one's beliefs despite adversity. His feast days are celebrated on 4 July, 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai, and 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University.