Great Britain’s Martyrs – Part II – Margaret Clitherow

Can you believe that England used to be known as ‘the Land of Saints’? This is the second article in the series of Great Britain’s Martyrs. See part I here.

Today we take a look at Margaret Clitherow’s life and martyrdom. She has been canonized as one of the 40 English martyrs the Catholic Church commemorates on the 4 May (England) and 25 May (Wales).

St Margaret lived in the Shambles in the English town of York where she taught the Catholic faith to children and hid and supported Catholic priests.

The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow is located in the house where saint Margaret Clitherow used to live with her family.

The Life Of St. Margaret Clitherow – 40 Martyrs of England and Wales:

During the English Reformation, she risked both her freedom and her life. This is the inspiring story of St. Margaret Clitherow, martyred for aiding priests during the reformation. (Shalom World/YT)

The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales:

The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales are a group of Catholic, lay and religious, men and women, executed between 1535 and 1679 during the English Reformation. Among the forty individuals listed were also the Carthusian monks who in 1535 declined to accept Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy. Many of these forty martyrs were sentenced to death at show trials, or with no trial at all.

St Margaret Clitherow – Feast day 26-March (Sensus Fidelium/YT):

You can find out more about the shrine here: https://www.yorkoratory.com/shrine, and read more about her story here: https://www.yorkoratory.com/st-margaret-clitherow