Years ago I was quite inspired by reading a book: Henry Morse (priest of the plague) quite a short hard back I came across in the public library. It was not unusual in those times to find such esoteric titles in the public library.
I was interested in this young man who converted to Catholicism and went to study in Rome in the early 17th century. He was ordained priest and began his ministry in northern parts, going from house to house, mainly well heeled houses and saying mass, not necessarily on a Sunday as many folk had to keep up appearances and attend a church of England service on Sunday. Inns were sometimes used as they were well known places on the high road giving opportunity for escape and the foreknowledge of priest takers.
One such place was the Red Cat now an Inn in Whittle le Woods near Chorley at a cross road with the road to Blackburn. Lancashire was noted for its recusant population at the time. It is a matter of legend that a red cat, probably a porcelain model was placed in the window to signify the presence of a priest. So gaining the name the house of the Red Cat. Perhaps it was a live and furry red cat for they love sitting in windows.
Back to Henry Morse: he carried on his ministry in northern parts and at length was arrested and jailed in York for three years. Here he studied for his novitiate into the Jesuits, having expressed a desire to join. When released he continued his ministry mainly among victims of the plague in London and was infected himself although he survived, only to be arrested and sentenced to be hanged drawn and quartered for sedition.
He was executed in this manner at Tyburn on February 1st 1645, a true martyr who did not have a need to blow himself up. Like many martyrs he was a humble man ministering to his people.
JL Feb 1
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