Saint John Houghton

Biography

Saint John Houghton, also known as Saint John Houghton of London, was born in 1487 in Essex, England. He received a comprehensive education and graduated from Cambridge University with degrees in civil and canon law. Following his studies, John was ordained as a priest in 1501 and served as a parish priest for four years. In 1505, Saint John Houghton embarked on a spiritual journey that led him to join the Carthusian Order. He began his novitiate in the London Charterhouse, a Carthusian monastery, and made his final vows in 1516. Recognized for his piety, dedication, and leadership qualities, he became the Prior of the Beauvale Carthusian Charterhouse in Northampton, England, and later became the Prior of the London Charterhouse. During the reign of King Henry VIII, a significant religious upheaval took place in England. The King sought to separate the English Church from Rome, asserting his own authority as the head of the Church. In 1534, King Henry VIII passed the Act of Supremacy, declaring himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This act was staunchly opposed by Saint John Houghton. Saint John, along with his fellow Carthusian monk Blessed Humphrey Middlemore, was imprisoned for opposing the Act. However, when the oath was modified to include the phrase "in so far as the law of God permits," John believed he could remain loyal to both Church and Crown. With reluctance, he and some of his fellow monks signed the modified oath. John was subsequently released, but his misgivings remained. On 1 February 1535, Parliament required that all clergy sign the original, unmodified oath. Seeking an exemption for themselves and their monks, Saint John, along with Saint Robert Lawrence and Saint Augustine Webster, sought a meeting with Thomas Cromwell, a prominent minister in King Henry VIII's court. Instead of receiving an exemption, they were immediately arrested and thrown into the Tower of London. Saint John Houghton, true to his Carthusian vow of silence, refused to cooperate or sign anything during the trial. Although the jury could find no malice toward the king, they found John and his co-defendants guilty of treason when threatened with prosecution themselves. Saint John and his companions became the first individuals martyred under the Tudor persecutions. On 4 May 1535, Saint John Houghton was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn in London. His body was brutally dismembered, and the parts were displayed throughout the city as a gruesome warning to others. Saint John Houghton's martyrdom marked a significant turning point in the religious landscape of England. Recognized for his unwavering dedication to the Catholic faith and his courage in the face of persecution, Saint John Houghton was beatified on 9 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII, and later canonized on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI. He is remembered as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, a group of Catholic individuals who were persecuted and martyred for their refusal to renounce their allegiance to the Pope. Saint John is often depicted as a Carthusian monk carrying a noose or as a Carthusian with a rope around his neck, holding his heart in his hand. His feast days are celebrated on 4 May as one of the Carthusian Martyrs, on 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, and on 20 September on some calendars. Although Saint John Houghton does not have a designated patronage, his life and sacrifice serve as an inspiration to all those who face religious persecution and oppression.