Blessed George Napper

Biography

Blessed George Napper, also known as George Napier, was born in 1550 at Holywell Manor, Oxford, England. He was the son of George and Anne Napper, and his father was a teacher at All Souls College. Blessed George was a great-nephew of William Cardinal Peto, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church.

He received his education at Corpus Christi College in Oxford and later became a seminarian at the English College in Douai, France. After being ordained as a priest in 1596, he returned to England to minister to the covert Catholics in Oxfordshire, beginning in 1603. Despite the dangers and risks involved, Blessed George was determined to provide spiritual support and perform his pastoral duties.

Blessed George Napper's commitment to his faith and his fellow Catholics was evident in his dedicated efforts to travel on foot and tend to the needs of the faithful. During this time, he often stayed with his brother William, who jeopardized his own safety by sheltering him.

Tragically, on July 19, 1610, Blessed George was betrayed and arrested. At the time of his arrest, he was found carrying a breviary, holy oils, a reliquary, and a pyx containing two consecrated Hosts. However, when he was later searched, the reliquary and pyx had disappeared. This discovery added to the accusations against him.

Imprisoned at Oxford Castle, Blessed George Napper continued to minister to his fellow prisoners. However, his compassionate actions were deemed an additional crime. Despite facing his own persecution, he selflessly provided spiritual support to those in need.

In an attempt to spare him from death, the authorities offered Blessed George the possibility of exile if he would renounce his allegiance to the Pope and sign an oath of allegiance. However, he steadfastly refused to compromise his faith, choosing to remain true to his beliefs and his dedication to the Catholic Church.

On November 9, 1610, between 1 and 2 in the afternoon, Blessed George Napper was hanged, drawn, and quartered in Oxford, England. As a warning to other Catholics, his body parts were displayed on the city gates. However, some parts were eventually recovered and given a proper burial at Sanford Manor.

Blessed George Napper's unwavering commitment to his faith and his refusal to renounce his allegiance to the Pope during his trial earned him the title of martyr. His martyrdom exemplified his willingness to sacrifice his own life for his deeply-held religious convictions.

Pope Pius XI recognized and venerated Blessed George Napper's martyrdom on December 8, 1929, issuing a decree of martyrdom. Additionally, Pope Pius XI beatified him on December 15, 1929, acknowledging his heroic virtues and fidelity to the Catholic Church.

The feast days of Blessed George Napper are celebrated on November 9 as his primary feast day, October 29 as one of the Martyrs of Douai, and December 1 as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University. These dates serve as a reminder of his profound faith, martyrdom, and his lasting impact on the Catholic community.