Saint John Jones

Biography

Saint John Jones, also known as Godefride Moritius, Godefridus Mauritius, Godfrey Maurice, Godfrey Jones, Griffith Jones, Gryffith Jones, John Buckley, John Griffith, and Robert Buckley, was born in 1559 in Clynog-Fawr, Carnarvonshire, Wales. He hailed from a devout Catholic family and grew up with a deep faith. In his early years, John Jones joined the Franciscans in Greenwich, England. However, his religious journey faced a setback when the monastery he was a part of was dissolved in 1559. Determined to continue his journey, he traveled to France to further his studies and pursue his vocation. He was ordained as a priest in Rheims, France. Following his ordination, John Jones returned to England and dedicated himself to the care of Catholic prisoners at Marshalsea Prison in London. During this time, Catholicism was suppressed, and priests were heavily persecuted. In 1590, John was arrested for being a priest and subsequently imprisoned at Wisbech Castle. Fortunately, he managed to escape to the Continent, seeking refuge and a safe place to continue his mission. John found temporary residence in Pontoise, France, before eventually settling at the Ara Coeli Franciscan Observant house in Rome, Italy. However, his heart longed for his homeland and the people of England who yearned for spiritual guidance. In 1592, he bravely decided to return to England to serve as a missioner. Throughout his mission work, John Jones traveled to various locations in England, tirelessly ministering to the faithful while avoiding capture. His efforts did not go unnoticed, and he was elected as the Franciscan provincial of England, a position of great responsibility within the order. In 1596, John Jones fell into the hands of the infamous priest-catcher, Richard Topcliffe. He was subjected to cruel torture but remained steadfast in his faith. Despite enduring indescribable suffering, he found solace and strength in his deep love for Christ and the Church. Following two years of imprisonment, John Jones was convicted on July 3, 1598, for the supposed treason of being a Catholic priest. His execution was carried out early in the morning in Southwark, London, with the intention of minimizing the risk of a public riot. However, an unexpected delay occurred as the executioner had to retrieve his ropes. During this time, John Jones fearlessly seized the opportunity to preach to the crowd that had gathered. He boldly explained that he was being put to death for his unwavering commitment to his faith, emphasizing that his allegiance remained loyal to God and not to any disloyalty towards his country. Saint John Jones is honored as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales for his unwavering faith and courage. His body was gruesomely chopped into pieces and displayed on roadside poles as a deterrent to others. However, local Catholics risked their own safety by pulling down the body parts as an act of reverence. The surviving relics of Saint John Jones are venerated in Pontoise, France. His martyrdom was officially recognized on December 8, 1929, by Pope Pius XI, who declared him a martyr. Further recognizing his martyrdom and sacrifice, Pope Pius XI beatified him on December 15, 1929. Finally, on October 25, 1970, Pope Paul VI canonized Saint John Jones, officially honoring him as a saint of the Catholic Church. Today, Saint John Jones serves as an inspiration to all those who face persecution for their faith. His unwavering commitment, even in the face of torture and death, exemplifies the true spirit of a martyr.