THE FIRST MARTYR

Feilding Star, Volume 8, Issue 2572, 3 May 1930, Page 5

THE FIRST MARTYR

COMES HOME AT LAST HISTORIC STORY THE CATHEDRAL THRONGED By Telegraph-Press Assn—Copyright (Aust. and N.Z, Cable) (Received May 3, 9.15 a.m.) London, May 2. Tho fust martyr buried ui Westminster Cathedral is John. Southworth, a Jesuit priest who wus executed at Tyburn, where lie was hanged, beheaded and quartered in 1054 under the orders of Oliver Cromwell. Jt may bo said to be his homecoming (says tho Times), as Father Soutliwortli was known as the parish priest of Westminster, where ho work cd for years amongst- tho poor during the outbreak of the plague, anointing many infected people. The Earl -of Arundel .ecured portions of the body and placed them in a leaden coffin which was taken to the Douni seminary in France, where Father Southworth was educated. This coffin, was rediscovered in 1927, when X-ravs revealed tho :enrs of martyrdom and established the identification of the remains. To-day thousands, of people assembled at the cathedral where there hung banners showing scenes in the martyrdom.. Tho body, arrayed in tho red vestments of a martyr, had been ]>laecd in a glass sided teak casket, the face being covered. The casket was carried on priests’ shoulders to the eliapel of St. George, Cardinal Bourne following. An imnfense crowd subsequently thronged the chapel Imping to touch the casket with their scapulars and rosaries. »