“God can no more withhold His grace from a soul prepared to receive it than the sun can fail to shine through an open window.”

John was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, in 1469, as the eldest of 4 children to Robert, a prosperous mercer, and his wife Agnes Fisher. His father died when he was 8 and his mother re-married and had another 4 children.

He displayed great intellectual prowess at school and went on to study at Cambridge University by the age of 13, graduating with a Master of Arts degree.

Despite being under canonical age, he received a papal dispensation to be ordained and was appointed Vicar of Northallerton, Yorkshire. He was recognized for this exceptional teaching abilities and 3 years later resigned to become proctor of the University. He quickly rose to various positions including Master Debater, Chaplain and Confessor to the mother of King Henry VII, tutor to young Henry VIII, Vice-Chancellor, the 1st occupant of the Cambridge chair, and President of the Queens’ College.

At 35, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Rochester, England, at the insistence of Henry VII. His diocese was the poorest in England where clergy rarely stayed but he remained for the rest of his life.

His exceptional speaking and writing abilities contributed to his esteemed positions and he received a lifetime appointment as the university’s chancellor. He preached at the king’s and queen’s funeral but it was not long before he came into conflict with their son, his formal pupil, the new king.

The 1st dispute was over funds left by the King’s grandmother for the University’s foundation. He also was the author of the royal treatise against Martin Luther and his battle against heterodox teachings increased as the years went on.

King Henry VIII tried to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and John became the Queen’s chief supporter, appearing on her behalf. He became a target of the king’s wrath and attempts against his life were made but he survived. He engaged in secret activities to overthrow Henry but none were successful.

He openly opposed the annulment, was arrested, refused to take an oath of succession for the King and new Queen, was convicted of treason without trial, and was imprisoned under severe conditions in the Tower of London. After over a year, he declared that the King was not Head of the Church of England.

His reputation and dedication to the Catholic faith were acknowledged by Pope Paul II and at the age of 66, he was made a Cardinal in recognition.

He was finally given a trial with a weighted jury, was convicted of treason, and was condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered. The public outcry was great and the King commuted the sentence to beheading.

He was executed on Tower Hill on June 22, 1535. Close to Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, his death created a parallel with that of John the Baptist.

His calm and dignified courage impressed those present but his body was stripped and left till the evening. It was taken out on stakes with no funeral. His body was later laid beside Saint Thomas More. His head was stuck upon a pole on the London Bridge and later thrown into the Thames river.

For God’s Glory.