John Nelson
English Jesuit martyr, born 1535
Feast: 3 February (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
John Nelson, born near York in 1534, went to Douai in 1573 and was ordained in 1576; two of his brothers also became priests. He worked in London.
Arrested on 1 December 1577 while saying Matins, he was led to call the queen a schismatic, which was treason. After being able to say Mass in Newgate, he was condemned and spent his last days in prayer and fasting in a filthy dungeon. He was executed at Tyburn on 3 February 1578, forgiving the queen and all who caused his death.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
A priest who died forgiving those who killed him.
The cause
John Nelson has been beatified; the cause continues. Favours received, and offers of help, go to the postulation, the office that carries the cause forward: Jesuits: the cause of John Nelson.
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - John Nelson
- Wikidata Q6250244 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — John Nelson (martyr) (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.