In 1536, Swithun Wells was born to a wealthy Catholic family in England who lived in the country. As the Protestant Reformation swept across England, his family arranged for secret funerals of Catholics, and they made their house a refuge for priests. After attending Protestant services in public for a year he returned to the Catholic Church in secret and helped his family in the protection of priests. After being arrested and released several times, in 1591 priest hunters found a secret Mass at his house. He was arrested, tried, and convicted to death by being hung, drawn, and quartered.
CHALLENGE
It’s easy to forget that there have been times and places where being a Catholic priest—or helping them—is dangerous but important work. St. Swithun Wells and his family understood the importance of priests and did all they could to protect them and give them a place to stay. Today, invite a priest out to dinner, or better yet, invite one into your home for a meal.
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