Blessed William Andleby: Priest and Martyr († 1597)
As a Protestant in his mid-twenties, William Andleby, of Etton England, was en route to fight with the Dutch Protestants against Catholic Spain when he passed through the French city of Douai. There he entered into conversation with the famous English Catholic cleric and future cardinal, William Allen. Within a day, the latter’s words and prayers transformed Andleby’s view of Catholicism, inspiring him to become Catholic himself. Remaining in Douai, he studied for the pristhood, and was ordained in 1577. Returning to England in 1578, Father Andelby spent the next two decades ministering to the country’s persecuted Catholics. His zeal for souls made him fearless of danger and untiring in labors. For several years he traveled everywhere on foot, carrying all he needed for Mass in a bag, until at last he was prevailed upon to use a horse. Father Andelby prayed continually, frequently watching by night, and becoming so deeply absorbed in meditation that at times he seemed scarcely conscious of those he met. Ultimately he was captured by the Elizabethan authorities, and was executed for being a priest.
