MARTYR’S RE-BURIAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17249, 3 May 1930, Page 5

MARTYR’S RE-BURIAL

WESTMINSTER SERVICE ECHO OF TYBURN GALLOWS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received May 3, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. The first martyr buried in Westminster Cathedral is John Southworth, the Jesuit who was executed at Tyburn, where he was hanged, beheaded and quartered in 1654, luider the orders of Oliver Cromwell. It may be said to be a home-coming, as Southworth was known as the parish priest of Westminster, where lie worked lor years among the poor, and during the outbreak of the plague anointed many infected people. The, Far! of Arundel secured portions of the body and placed them iu a leaden collin which was taken to Domini seminary, where Southworth was educated. The. collin was re-discovered in 1927 when X-rays revealing the scars of martyrdom established the identification of the remains.

To-day thousands assembled at the cathedral, where there were hung banners showing the martyrdom. The body, arrayed in red vestments of a martyr was placed in a glass-sided leak casket, with the face covered, and was carried on priests’ shoulders to the Cliapej of St. George, Cardinal Bourne following. An immense crowd subsequently thronged the chapel, iioping to touch the casket with scapulars and rosaries.