Blessed Thomas Bullaker

Biography

Blessed Thomas Bullaker, also known as John Baptist Bullaker and Thomas Tailor, was born around 1603 in Midhurst, Sussex, England. He was the only son of a pious and well-to-do physician.

Thomas received his education at the English College in Saint-Omer, France, and later at the Royal English College in Valladolid, Spain. It was during his time in Spain that he decided to join the Franciscan Order in 1622, taking the name John Baptist. After completing his studies, he was ordained to the priesthood in Valladolid around 1627.

Father John Baptist Bullaker returned to England and dedicated himself to ministering to covert Catholics for twelve years. At that time, it was illegal to practice Catholicism openly in England, and priests faced great risks in carrying out their pastoral duties.

Father Bullaker's commitment to his faith and his dedication to serving the hidden Catholic community eventually caught the attention of the authorities. He was arrested twice on charges of being a priest, a crime that carried the penalty of death.

On October 12, 1642, Father Bullaker was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn in London, England. He became one of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales, who sacrificed their lives for their Catholic faith during this turbulent period.

Recognizing his martyrdom, Pope John Paul II decreed on November 10, 1986, that Blessed Thomas Bullaker be venerated as a martyr. A year later, on November 22, 1987, Pope John Paul II further elevated him to the rank of Blessed, declaring him a beatified martyr of the Catholic Church.

Although there is no specific representation associated with Blessed Thomas Bullaker, he is remembered and honored for his courageous witness to the Catholic faith, his ministerial work, and his ultimate sacrifice. His feast days are celebrated on October 12 and November 22, along with the other Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales.