Remembering the witness of St. John Houghton - Memorial for the Day

Today is the memorial of St. John Houghton.

St. John Houghton, a Carthusian monk, was the first man martyred because he would not sign the 1534 Act of Supremacy because it went against his faith and his conscience. This declaration stated erroneously that King Henry was the highest authority in the Church in England.

St. John Houghton was hanged and then quartered alive on May 4, 1535. As they tore open his chest to remove his heart he prayed, "O Jesus, what wouldst thou do with my heart?"

Reflections from Scripture:

“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 1 Corinthians 4:9-10

“Thomas ... said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” John 11:16

Painting by Francisco Zurbarán