No image available
Feast Day: July 16
Death: July 16, 1604
Blessed Robert Grissold, also known as Robert Grissold of Rowington, was born around 1575 in Rowington, Warwickshire, England. He is recognized as a martyr and lifelong layman in the apostolic vicariate of England.
Not much is known about Robert Grissold's early life and upbringing. However, his strong Catholic faith undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his vocation and eventual sacrifice for his beliefs.
During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, England was undergoing the Reformation and the subsequent suppression of Catholicism. Catholics faced persecution and were often forced to practice their faith covertly in order to avoid detection. Despite the risks involved, Robert Grissold remained steadfast in his devotion to the Catholic Church.
Robert's commitment to his faith and his desire to maintain the traditional practices of Catholicism led him to actively support and assist priests who ministered to the Catholic faithful in secrecy. At that time, Catholic priests were forbidden from openly exercising their ministry and faced severe penalties if caught, including imprisonment, torture, and execution.
It is believed that Robert Grissold played a significant role in safeguarding and supporting these priests, including providing them with shelter, resources, and spiritual encouragement. By doing so, he put his own safety and well-being at risk, fully aware of the potential consequences.
Unfortunately, Robert's dedication to his faith ultimately proved fatal. On July 16, 1604, in Warwick, Warwickshire, England, he was apprehended by the authorities who had uncovered his involvement in supporting Catholic priests. Details of his arrest and subsequent trial are scarce, but it is known that he was imprisoned and subjected to harsh interrogation.
Despite the pressures and possible tortures he endured, Robert Grissold remained unwavering in his commitment to Catholicism. He steadfastly refused to renounce his faith or reveal the identities of other Catholics involved in supporting the clandestine church.
On that fateful day in Warwick in July 1604, Robert was executed for his Catholic beliefs, joining the ranks of the Martyrs of England, Scotland, and Wales. His courageous witness to the faith and his martyrdom are remembered annually on his feast day, which is observed on July 16, as well as on November 22, alongside the other martyrs of his homeland.
It was not until centuries later that his sanctity and martyrdom were formally recognized. On November 10, 1986, Pope John Paul II declared Robert Grissold venerable, acknowledging his heroic virtue and sacrifice. A year later, on November 22, 1987, the same pope beatified him, officially granting him the title of "Blessed."
Blessed Robert Grissold's life and death serve as a testament to the enduring faith of Catholic laypeople during a tumultuous period in England's history. His example continues to inspire and remind us of the courage and devotion required to hold fast to one's beliefs, even in the face of persecution and martyrdom.