Saint John Fisher

Biography

Saint John Fisher, also known as John of Rochester or John Fisher of Rochester, was born in 1469 in Beverly, Yorkshire, England. He displayed great intellectual prowess from an early age and went on to study theology at Cambridge University. He received his degrees in 1487 and 1491, establishing himself as a learned theologian. Following his studies, Fisher became a parish priest in Northallerton, England, serving from 1491 to 1494. During this time, he gained a reputation for his exceptional teaching abilities. His talent was recognized by the Church, and he was appointed as the Proctor of Cambridge University. In 1497, Fisher became the confessor to Margaret Beaufort, the mother of King Henry VII. This position further solidified his standing within the Church. In 1504, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Rochester, England. In his role as bishop, Fisher worked tirelessly to improve the standard of preaching in his diocese and was known for his piety and commitment to religious education. In addition to his ecclesiastical responsibilities, Fisher also held prominent positions in academia. He served as the Chancellor of Cambridge and was appointed as the tutor to the young King Henry VIII. Fisher's exceptional speaking and writing abilities contributed to his esteemed position within both the Church and academic circles. However, in 1527, the course of Fisher's life dramatically changed. He was tasked with studying the issue of King Henry VIII's marriage and became a target of the king's wrath when he defended the validity of the marriage and rejected Henry's claim to be the head of the Church in England. As a result of his opposition to Henry's actions, Fisher was imprisoned in 1534 without trial. He was held captive for 14 months, during which time he remained strong in his convictions and unwavering in his faith. While imprisoned, Fisher's reputation and dedication to the Catholic faith were acknowledged by Pope Paul III. In 1535, he was created a cardinal in recognition of his saintly life and unwavering resistance to the religious changes occurring in England. On 22 June 1535, Saint John Fisher was martyred. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on Tower Hill, Tyburn, London, England. His body was buried in the churchyard of All Hallows, Barking, England, without any religious rites or burial shroud. His head was displayed on London Bridge for two weeks as a warning to others, before being thrown into the River Thames. Today, relics of Saint John Fisher can be found in Saint Peter's Church in the Tower of London. He was beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII and canonized on 19 May 1935 by Pope Pius XI. Saint John Fisher is revered as a courageous defender of the Catholic faith. He is the patron saint of the Diocese of Rochester, New York, and is often depicted as a cardinal with an axe nearby, a cardinal with his hat at his feet, or a cardinal with worn, haggard features. His life and martyrdom serve as an inspiration to all who strive to remain steadfast in their beliefs, even in the face of persecution.