John Roche (martyr)
Blessed John Roche (also known as John Neele or Neale) was a Catholic martyr, born in Ireland, who died in London, England on 30 August 1588.[1]
Blessed John Roche | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ireland |
| Died | 30 August 1588 Tyburn, London |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI |
| Feast | 30 August 1588 |
Life
He helped Saint Margaret Ward arrange the escape of Father Richard Watson from Bridewell Prison when the boatman she had originally asked to help her refused to do so.[2] Roche exchanged clothes with the prisoner and was arrested in his place.[3] Offered his freedom if he would ask Queen Elizabeth I's pardon and promise to attend a Protestant church, he refused, and was hanged at Tyburn, London on 30 August 1588, along with Ward, Edward Shelley, Richard Martin, and Richard Leigh and Richard Lloyd (alias Flower).[4]
Veneration
Pope Pius XI beatified Roche in 1929. A school in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was named after him.
Iconography
Usually shown in working-class Elizabethan dress and holding an oar or a miniature boat, he is the patron of sailors, mariners and boatmen.
References
- Stanton, Richard. A Menology of England and Wales, Burns & Oates, 1887, p. 427
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - Reany, William. "Venerable John Roche", Lives of the English Martyrs, vol.1, (Edwin Burton and J.H. Pollen, eds.), Longmans, Green and Co., 1914, p. 430 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Burton, Edwin. "St. Margaret Ward." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 19 January 2020 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "St Margaret Ward", Diocese of Shrewsbury