Blessed John Cornelius
Also known as
- John Mohun
- 4 July
- 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai
- 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University
Profile
Born to Irish immigrant parents. Educated at Oxford, and a fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. Studied theology at Rheims, France, and at the English College in Rome, Italy beginning on 1 April 1580. Ordained in Rome in 1583. Returned to England as a missionary in Lanherne, often torn between his zeal to work with the faithful, and his love of the meditative life. Chaplain to Lady Arundell. Arrested at Chideock Castle on 24 April 1594 by the Sheriff of Dorsetshire with Blessed John Carey, Blessed Thomas Bosgrave, and Blessed Patrick Salmon who showed their support of the priest. Joined the Jesuits in 1594 while in prison. Tortured in London to obtain the names of people who had helped or sheltered him, but he told his tormenters nothing. Condemned for the high treason of being a Catholic priest on 2 July 1594. Martyr.
Born
- hanged and hacked to pieces on 4 July 1594 at Dorchester, Oxfordshire, England
- body later stolen and properly buried by local Catholics
- 8 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI (decree of martyrdom)
MLA Citation
- “Blessed John Cornelius“. CatholicSaints.Info. 7 November 2021. Web. 29 April 2024. <>