Saints
St. Edmund Campion
St. Edmund Campion Biography
St. Edmund Campion was an English Catholic priest and martyr who is remembered for his tireless efforts to spread the Gospel and defend the Catholic faith in England during a time of persecution.
Campion was born in London in 1540, the son of a bookseller. He received an excellent education and went on to study at Oxford University, where he excelled in his studies and was considered one of the brightest young scholars of his time.
After finishing his studies, Campion entered the Jesuit order and was ordained a priest. He was sent to Rome to further his studies, and it was there that he was introduced to the missionary work of the Jesuits.
Inspired by the work of the Jesuits, Campion felt called to bring the Gospel to England, which at the time was a Protestant country with strict laws against Catholicism. Despite the dangers, Campion returned to England and began secretly ministering to Catholics, often at great personal risk.
Campion’s activities eventually came to the attention of the authorities, and he was arrested and charged with treason. He was tortured and imprisoned, but he refused to renounce his faith or betray his fellow Catholics.
Despite the hardships he faced, Campion remained steadfast in his faith and even wrote a famous letter from prison known as the “Campion’s Brag,” in which he defended the Catholic faith and called for religious toleration.
Campion was eventually found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on December 1, 1581, becoming one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
St. Edmund Campion’s bravery and dedication to the Gospel have inspired Catholics for centuries, and he is remembered as a hero of the faith. St. Edmund Campion’s feast day is December 1st and he is regarded as patron of the British Jesuit Province.
Popular St. Edmund Campion Medal and St. Edmund Campion Rosary
Patron Saints - E's
Why is St. Edmund Campion the patron saint of patron of the British Jesuit Province?
St. Edmund Campion is regarded as the patron of the British Jesuit Province because he was an English Jesuit priest and martyr who made significant contributions to the Church in England.
Campion was a member of the Jesuit order and dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel and defending the Catholic faith in England during a time of persecution. He risked his life to minister to Catholics and was ultimately martyred for his faith.
Because of his bravery and dedication, Campion is remembered as a hero of the faith and an inspiration to Catholics. As a result, he has been chosen as the patron of the British Jesuit Province, which comprises all Jesuit communities in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man.
Prayers to St. Edmund Campion
Prayer of Intercession to St. Edmund Campion
Dear St. Edmund Campion, you were a brave and faithful servant of God who willingly gave your life in defense of your beliefs. Please intercede for me, that I may have the courage and strength to stand up for what I believe in, even in the face of adversity. May your example inspire me to be a faithful witness to the truth and to serve others with love and compassion.
Prayer to St. Edmund Campion
O blessed St. Edmund Campion, you were a man of great faith and intellect who devoted your life to spreading the Gospel and defending the Catholic Church. Please pray for me, that I may grow in my knowledge and understanding of the faith and that I may have the courage to share it with others. May your words and example guide me as I seek to live a life of integrity and service to others.
Prayer to St. Edmund Campion
St. Edmund Campion, you were a man of great strength and perseverance who never wavered in your faith, even in the face of great suffering and hardship. Please pray for me, that I may have the same strength and determination to follow Christ, no matter what challenges I may face. May your example inspire me to always put my trust in God and to strive to live a life worthy of His love. Amen.
Papal Writings and Sermons about St. Edmund Campion
St. Edmund Campion is revered as a martyr and a hero of the Catholic faith. Here are a few papal writings and sermons about him:
Pope Paul VI beatified St. Edmund Campion in 1970, recognizing him as a blessed in the Catholic Church. In his homily at the beatification, Pope Paul VI spoke about St. Edmund Campion’s bravery and faith:
“In a time of great difficulty and persecution, he showed himself to be a courageous and faithful witness to the Gospel, and gave his life for Christ and his Church. His example and intercession are a source of inspiration and strength for all who seek to follow Christ more closely.”
Pope John Paul II canonized St. Edmund Campion as a saint in the Catholic Church in 1970. In his homily at the canonization, Pope John Paul II praised St. Edmund Campion’s dedication to the Gospel and his willingness to suffer for the faith:
“Through the ages, the Church has counted countless saints among her members, men and women who, by their lives and their witness, have shown us the way to God and to eternal life. St. Edmund Campion is one of these, a man who, in a time of great difficulty and persecution, stood firm in his faith and gave his life for Christ and his Church. May his example and intercession be a source of inspiration and strength for all who seek to follow Christ more closely.”
Pope Francis also spoke about St. Edmund Campion in a homily given in 2015, praising his courage and fidelity to the Gospel:
“St. Edmund Campion was a man of great faith and courage, who, in a time of great difficulty and persecution, stood firm in his conviction that the Gospel must be proclaimed and lived at all costs. May his example and intercession be a source of inspiration and strength for all of us, as we strive to follow Christ more closely and to bear witness to his love and truth in the world.”
Top 5 Quotes by St. Edmund Campion
- “I am not here to defend my cause, but to offer myself a sacrifice to the truth.”
- “I do not fear death, for I have already died once. To live is Christ, to die is gain.”
- “For if I shall have deserved to be given to the fire, I trust to come out of it as gold.”
- “The more I suffer for Christ, the more I love and embrace him.”
- “I pray to be made worthy of the Cross, and to be found worthy to be counted among your martyrs.”
Reflection on the Feast of St. Edmund Campion
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Edmund Campion on December 1st. The Feast of St. Edmund Campion is a day to remember and honor this courageous Catholic priest and martyr who dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel and defending the Catholic faith in England during a time of persecution.
On this day, we are reminded of Campion’s unwavering commitment to his faith, even in the face of great danger and suffering. His bravery and selflessness inspire us to follow in his footsteps and be courageous in our own faith journey.
We also remember Campion’s call for religious toleration and his belief that all people have the right to freely practice their religion. This message is as important today as it was in Campion’s time, and we can all strive to be more understanding and respectful of the beliefs of others.
As we reflect on the Feast of St. Edmund Campion, let us ask for his intercession and seek to live our lives with the same courage and conviction that he demonstrated. May we be inspired by his example to be more faithful disciples of Christ and bring the love of God to those around us.
Lessons learned from St. Edmund Campion
There are several lessons that we can learn from the life of St. Edmund Campion:
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Courage: St. Edmund Campion showed great courage in the face of adversity. He was willing to risk everything – even his life – in order to share the message of Jesus with others. He teaches us to be brave in the face of challenges and to stand firm in our faith.
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Devotion: St. Edmund Campion was deeply devoted to God, and he dedicated his life to serving Him. He inspires us to be equally committed to living a life of faith and service to others.
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Love: St. Edmund Campion was filled with love for God and for others. He showed this love through his words and actions, and he encourages us to do the same.
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Forgiveness: Even in the face of persecution and death, St. Edmund Campion showed forgiveness towards those who sought to harm him. He teaches us to extend grace and forgiveness to others, even in difficult circumstances.
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Faith: Above all, St. Edmund Campion’s life teaches us about the power of faith. He trusted in God’s plan for his life and was willing to face any challenge in order to follow it. His example encourages us to have a deep faith in God and to trust in His will for our lives.