The Hand-Matron’s Tale (Bede)

Homily - The Hand-Matron’s Tale (Bede)

The martyrdom of the “Pearl of York”, ... has long been etched in the annals of Catholic history as a singular example of the cruelty of the Elizabethan Protestant regime, and the faithfulness of Catholics afflicted by this tyranny.

• MARGARET WAS THE DAUGHTER of Thomas Middleton, Sheriff of York;
• She married John Clitherow, a chamberlain of the city, in St. Martin's church;
• They made their home in the Shambles.

• MARGARET CONVERTED to the Catholic Faith around 1574;
• And became a fervent follower of Jesus Christ;
• She continually risked her life by harbouring and maintaining priests;
• Margaret provided two chambers, one adjoining her house and a second in another part of the city, where she kept priests hidden — some of whom were martyred — and had Mass continually celebrated through the thick of the persecution.

• LIKE SAINT IGNATIUS of old, Margaret desired the grace of martyrdom above all things;
• On many occasions, she made secret pilgrimages by night to York Tyburn to pray beneath the gibbet for this intention.

• MARGARET WAS FREQUENTLY IMPRISONED, sometimes for two years at a time;
• But, she remained undaunted, and became a model of all virtues;

• THIS HAND-MATRON of Jesus arrested on 10 March, 1586, and was committed to the castle.
• On 14 March, she was arraigned before two judges and several members of the Council of the North;
• She was indicted for harboring priests, and for hearing Mass;
• Since the only witnesses that could be brought against her would be her own little children and servants, Mrs. Clitherow refused to plead;

• SHE WAS CONDEMNED to be pressed to death;
• In response to her sentence, Margaret said:

• "God be thanked, I am not worthy of so good a death as this”;

• Although with child, this horrible sentence was carried out on LADY DAY, March 25th, 1586;

• THE NIGHT BEFORE she offered her life to God was full of the agony of fear;
• But, in the morning the Matron of York was calm, joyous, and smiling.
• Margaret walked barefooted to the tollbooth on Ousebridge;

• Tormented BY THE MINISTERS, she was urged to confess her crimes;
• In reply she answered:

• "No, no, Mr. Sheriff, I die for the love of my Lord Jesu”;

• AFTER BEING STRIPPED NAKED, Margaret was laid on the ground;

• A sharp stone was placed beneath her back;
• And her hands were stretched out in the form of a cross and bound to two posts;
• A door was placed upon her, which was weighted down till she was crushed to death.

• Her last words were:

• "Jesu! Jesu! Jesu! have mercy on me!"

DEAREST FRIENDS:

MARGARET CLITHEROW — although the Son of Man came for her at an hour that she did not expect — had remained watchful and was found ready when he came for her.

SADLY, AS RECENT NEWS HAS MADE CLEAR, the same cannot be said of many prelates and priests of our Lord’s Holy Church

THESE WICKED SERVANTS have been saying to themselves, “My master is delayed;”

• They have beaten and ravaged their fellow servants;
• They have inebriated themselves with despicable and perverse;

AND, IF THEY DO NOT REPENT, turn from their wickedness, confess their sins, receive absolution and make satisfaction...

THE MASTER WILL COME for these servants on a day when they do not expect him;

• At an hour they do not know;
• The Master will punish them;
• Put them with the hypocrites;
• And they will weep and gnash their teeth.

For they have not been transformed shining symbols of the sufferings of Christ;

But, have transformed themselves into objects of reproach, made a mockery of Christ’s suffering, and have scandalized the faithful!

SO AS YOU COME to receive in your person the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ...

I ASK THAT YOU PRAY that our Heavenly Father would be merciful to these prelates and my brother priests...

AND, GRANT THEM a spirit of repentance and true faith in Christ Jesus!

— — — — —

Sources

The martyrdom of Margaret Clitherow: A Book Review | Alexandra Walsham

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/the-martyrdom-of-margaret-clitherow/amp/

St. Margaret Clitherow, Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04059b.htm

[Note: St. Margaret Clitherow was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970.]

ope Paul VI in 1970.]