Looking Back Detail Page

01 Apr

- Peter Temple

Class of '53

(I am a Campion School Boy enjoying the privilege of having a patron so outstanding as Edmund Campion a worthy guiding star for every boy..… And so that my schoolmates may know him better I proudly give myself the pleasure of telling his story)
Edmund Campion was born in London in the year 1540. He was well educated and while at Oxford became the most popular man of his time. This was due to his unique power of speech added to a very charming manner. Historical reference even has it that he greatly attracted Elizabeth’s attention on one of her visits to the University.
In spite of his worldly accomplishments he decided to dedicate his life to God. He first went to the Novitiate at Douai and then to Rome where he was admitted into the Society of Jesus in 1573. From here he was sent to Bohemia where he often preached before the Emperor. During his stay in Bohemia he as appointed Professor of Rhetoric.
After sometime he was posted to England with the clear understanding that he might be martyred but this did not daunt him. While in London he preached unceasingly and many Protestants were converted.
He became famous for two writings:- ‘Campion’s Brag and Challenge’ and ‘Ten Reasons’. He cordially invited the learned men of the Universities to discuss with him in public but they soon found that he was too clever for them.
After labouring much among his own people he at length fell into the hands of his persecutors due ti Mr. Eliot having betrayed him. On July 17th 1981 he was found in a secret room in the house of a Catholic friend Mr. Yeates.
On  his journey to London they made him wear a cap on which with great capital letters was written ‘Campion the Seditious Jesuit’. On July 22nd he was racked several times but he never gave in
On November 14th he was tried but they could not find him guilty so they postponed the trial to November 20th. On that day he was pronounced guilty but the Queen herself could not believe it so.
On December 1st 1581 he was executed at Tyburn. He yielded his soul protesting with his last breath that he died a Catholic. Is it not sad that such a brilliant and good man had to die at the early age of 42 But God’s plan was accomplished in him and he was beatified by Pope Leo XI in 1886.