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Feast Day: October 1
Death: October 1, 1588
Blessed Edward Campion, also known as Gerard Edward, was born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England as Gerard Edward. Little is known about his early life and family background. He enrolled at Jesus College, Oxford, in England, where he pursued his education. However, due to his strong Catholic faith, he refused to take the oath acknowledging Queen Elizabeth I as the head of Christianity in England, and as a result, he did not graduate.
After leaving Oxford, Gerard found employment as a servant in the household of Baron Gregory Fiennes. It was through this position that he came into contact with a strongly Catholic family, an encounter that deepened his own religious devotion. Feeling a calling to dedicate himself more fully to his faith, Gerard decided to leave England and seek further religious education.
On 22 February 1586, he departed for France to study at the English College in Reims. During his time there, Gerard took the name Edward Campion as a tribute to Saint Edmund Campion, a renowned English martyr and Jesuit priest. He was ordained as a priest in 1587 and, filled with zeal, returned to England to minister to covert Catholics who faced persecution under Queen Elizabeth I's reign.
Not long after his return to England, Father Edward Campion was arrested in Sittingbourne. For the crime of being a priest, he was imprisoned and endured the harsh conditions of Newgate and Marshalsea prisons. Despite undergoing multiple interrogations and being given opportunities to renounce his faith, he remained steadfastly dedicated to his beliefs.
Father Edward Campion was eventually condemned to death for his unwavering loyalty to Catholicism. On 1 October 1588, he was executed in Canterbury, Kent, England. His martyrdom serves as a testament to his courage and commitment to his faith in the face of religious persecution.
Blessed Edward Campion's feast day is celebrated on 1 October. He was officially venerated by Pope Pius XI on 8 December 1929 through a decree of martyrdom. Additionally, Pope Pius XI beatified him on 15 December 1929, recognizing his martyrdom and sanctity.
Blessed Edward Campion remains an inspiration for Catholics around the world, particularly for those who face religious oppression and persecution. His life and sacrifice serve as a reminder of the importance of unwavering faith and dedication to one's beliefs even in the most difficult circumstances.