Detail of An Illustration of Saint John Plessington Date And Artist Unknown

Saint John Plessington

Also known as: John Plesington; William Scarisbrick; William Pleasington

Saint

Martyr

Post-Congregation

Feast Day: 19 July; 25 October as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

Born: C.1637 at Dimples Hall, Lancashire, England

Died: Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 19 July 1679 at Barrows Hill, Boughton, England; buried in the local cemetery of Burton, England

Canonized: 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Beatified: 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI

Venerated: 8 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI (decree of martyrdom)

Biography

Saint John Plessington was born around 1637 at Dimples Hall, Lancashire, England, to Robert Plessington, a royalist Catholic, and Alice Rawstone. He came from a family that faced persecution due to their religious and political beliefs. As a young man, John received his education under the guidance of Jesuits at Scarisbrick Hall. He furthered his studies at the Royal College of Saint Alban in Valladolid, Spain, and later at Saint Omer's Monastery in France.

On March 25, 1662, John was ordained as a priest in Segovia, Spain. After his ordination, he returned to England in 1663 with a mission to minister to covert Catholics in the areas of Holywell and Cheshire. To avoid detection, he often concealed his true identity by using the name William Scarisbrick.

In addition to his pastoral duties, John served as a tutor at Puddington Hall near Chester, England. However, his activities caught the attention of the authorities, leading to his imprisonment for a period of two months. Despite the threats and dangers he faced, John remained steadfast in his faith and commitment to serving the Catholic community.

Tragically, on July 19, 1679, John Plessington was executed for the crime of priesthood. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on Barrows Hill in Boughton, England. Following his martyrdom, John was buried in the local cemetery of Burton, England.

Saint John Plessington holds a significant place among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast day is celebrated on July 19, and he is also honored on October 25 as part of this group of courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for their Catholic faith.

Recognizing his martyrdom and the strength of his witness, Pope Pius XI declared John Plessington venerable on December 8, 1929, through a decree of martyrdom. Later that same year, on December 15, 1929, Pope Pius XI beatified him. Finally, on October 25, 1970, Pope Paul VI canonized Saint John Plessington, affirming his sanctity and elevating him to the status of a recognized Catholic saint. Throughout the centuries, Saint John Plessington's story continues to inspire believers to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of adversity.