Philip Powell

Who they were

Philip Powell, born in Brecknockshire in 1594, studied law in London, then became a Benedictine at St Gregory's, Douai (now Downside), and was ordained in 1618. He worked on the English mission for over twenty years, chiefly in Somerset and Devon.

After serving Catholic soldiers in Cornwall during the Civil War, he was captured at sea in 1646, denounced as a priest, and fell gravely ill in prison. He was condemned and executed at Tyburn on 30 June 1646.

The miracles

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

Why that counted as sanctity

A Benedictine who served the mission for decades and died for his priesthood.