George Haydock and 84 companions, martyrs (16th–17th centuries)

Biography

Jorge Haydock heads a group of priests, religious and lay people who died in England, Wales and Scotland during the persecutions after the break with Rome. Many priests had been trained in seminaries on the continent and returned clandestinely to celebrate the Eucharist and support Catholics; several laymen were condemned for hosting or helping them. They suffered imprisonment, torture and execution without renouncing communion with the Catholic Church. Their diversity of ages and states of life shows the same persevering fidelity.