John Jones (1559-1598) was born in Wales. After ordination as a Franciscan priest in France, he spent a short period in Rome, and returned in 1592 to work in England, particularly in London. Arrested in 1597, he was put on trial in June 1598 for exercising the priesthood. The notorious priest hunter, Topcliffe brought evidence against him, and he was hanged on 12th July in Southwark outside London. John Wall (1620-1679) was born in Lancashire. Ordained as a secular priest in Rome in 1645, he became a Franciscan in 1651 taking the name Joachim. He worked in England from 1656 onwards, especially in Warwickshire under the assumed name of Mr. Webb. Arrested in 1679, he was condemned to death for exercising the priesthood, and executed on 22nd August 1679. Both he and John Jones were canonised in 1970 by Paul VI.
First Reading: 2 Cor. 4: 7-15; Gospel: Mt. 10: 28-33
