Can anyone become a saint?

[Denise]

History shows that one can become a saint at any age and in every age.

If there ever was an unlikely candidate for sainthood, it was Sebastian Newdigate, the seventh of fourteen children of a noble family in the tumultuous times of England’s1500’s.

At the age of 23, we find him a courtier, a friend, and privy counselor of King Henry VIII.

According to H. M. F. Prescott, in her book, Mary Tudor, when Sebastian’s older sister, Jane, tried to warn him about the evils of Henry, he replied,

“The King is not as bad as some people think.”

Nevertheless, without saying so, he had become discontented and appalled by Henry’s actions.

“Sister,” he said, “What will you say if the next news you hear of me, shall be that I am entered to be a monk at the Charterhouse?”

“A monk!” she said, “I fear rather I shall see thee hanged,” for she feared that association with the king would be his ruin and even death.

Not long after, Sebastian did enter the Charterhouse—London’s famous Carthusian monastery. Jane couldn’t believe her brother capable and went there to tell the Prior that Sebastian was in no way fit to be a monk.

She protested, “He can never live up to the strictness of the Carthusians nor can he live on vegetables; and fish always makes him sick.” Obviously, she never thought him fit to be a saint either.

However, when her brother appeared before her as a novice, and spoke to her, clad in a monks habit, she was astonished at his almost miraculous change.

Jane left fully convinced of his conversion but her previous words about being hanged by the King were prophetic. Sebastian went on to become a priest and was among the monks of the Charterhouse who refused to recognize King Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

For his refusal, he was taken to prison and “kept for fourteen days bound to pillars, standing upright, with iron rings around his neck, hands, and feet.” He was then taken to the Tower of London where Henry visited him to try and entice him by promises of riches and honors, if he would change his mind.

Upon his refusal, he was condemned to death for “treason” and on June 19, 1535 along with fellow monks was dragged to Tyburn on hurdles, and hanged, drawn and quartered. Their remains were displayed in various parts of the city as a threat to Catholics who remained loyal to the Papacy.

He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on December 9, 1886.

Sebastian Newdigate shows us that sanctity can be obtained by anyone who sincerely turns from the world to seek God. With the grace of God, all things are possible even today as we see followers of Christ in various parts of the world persecuted and martyred for their loyalty to the One, True, Church.

Saint Sebastian pray for us.

by Brother Thomas Augustine
https://mailchi.mp/saintbenedict.com/a- ... e9004b044a

[MarieT]

what a bizarre way to end up dying - quartered
I hadnt heard of this humble saint but have heard of other victims of Henry VIII

St Thomas More was a prominent one and showed how corruption results in the leader getting what he wants. More was a prominent lawyer that could not be contested - so at the trial he counteracted all accusations but still they ordered his death.

Because of his high standing in the court of Henry VIII he was given a swift death - axe to the head and the head hung for all to see as a warning. It is written that his daughter Margaret retrieved the head at night, wrapped it in towels and had it buried in their parish church.

we were living this barbarism in this century - forced to have a poisonous vax that was injuring and killing several recipients ....

How clear is the message of the martyrs through age and time to today,