Saint of the day for January 11: the story of blessed William Carter

(C. 1548 - 11 January 1584)

Born in London, William Carter entered the printing industry at an early age. For many years he served as an apprentice to well-known Catholic printers, one of whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic faith. William himself served time in prison after his arrest for "printing obscene [ie Catholic] pamphlets" and for possessing books in support of Catholicism.

But even more, he offended public officials by publishing works that aimed to keep Catholics steadfast in their faith. Officials who ransacked his home found various suspicious vestments and books, and even managed to extract information from William's distraught wife. For the next 18 months, William remained in prison, suffering torture and learning of his wife's death.

He was eventually accused of printing and publishing the Treaty of Schisme, which allegedly incited violence on the part of Catholics and which was said to have been written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William calmly placed his trust in God, the jury met for just 15 minutes before reaching a guilty verdict. William, who made his last confession to a priest who had been tried with him, was hanged, drawn and quartered the following day: January 11, 1584.

He was beatified in 1987.

Reflection

It was not worth being a Catholic in the reign of Elizabeth I. In an age when religious diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason and practicing the faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to encourage his brothers and sisters to continue the fight. These days our brothers and sisters also need encouragement, not because their lives are at risk, but because many other factors are besetting their faith. They look to us.