George Napper

Who they were

George Napper, born near Oxford in 1550, was ejected from Corpus Christi College as a recusant and imprisoned for years, released in 1589 after acknowledging the royal supremacy. He later went to Douai and was sent on the mission as a priest in 1603.

Arrested in 1610 carrying the Blessed Sacrament, he was condemned for being a priest but reprieved. In prison he reconciled a condemned felon, and he refused the oath of allegiance. He was executed at Oxford on 9 November 1610.

The miracles

As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.

Why that counted as sanctity

A man who recovered from a lapse to die a faithful priest.