ANOTHER DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!

John Kemble (link here) son of John Kemble and Anne Morgan, was born at Rhydicar Farm, St Weonards, Herefordshire in 1599.  He was ordained priest in 1625 and for 54 years he laboured for the persecuted Catholics of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire.  In 1678 Fr Kemble became another innocent victim of the sordid and fabricated Popish Plot (link here)  The 80 year old priest was arrested at Pembridge Castle and confined to Hereford Gaol.  He was tried for the treason of being a Catholic priest, found guilty  and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered.

The execution of Fr John Kemble
(Photo J D Smith)

On 22nd August 1679 the gentle old priest was executed on Widemarsh Common. His nephew removed the Martyr's body to the church at Welsh Newton and buried him beside the churchyard cross.  

The grave of St John Kemble, Welsh Newton
(Photo J D Smith)

Fr John Kemble is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales (link here) canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970.  There is an annual pilgrimage to the Saint's grave and this year's pilgrimage will take place on Sunday, 18th August 2019 at 3 pm at Welsh Newton.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS

St John Kemble and St David Lewis were kinsmen.   David Lewis was a Jesuit priest and John Kemble a secular priest.   Both priests served the Welsh Mission in a time when to be a Catholic was to risk much but to be a Catholic priest was to risk all!   During the Titus Oates Plot the cousins were arrested, tried and convicted of High Treason. To be a Catholic priest and to say Mass was considered High Treason! They were sentenced to the usual punishment for High Treason, to be hanged, drawn and quartered.   On 22nd August 1679 eighty year old Fr John Kemble was executed at Widemarsh Common, Hereford. Just five days later, on 27th August 1679 David Lewis was executed at Usk. He is the LAST WELSH MARTYR. 

 

On 25th October 1970, Pope Paul VI canonised John Kemble and David Lewis along with thirty-eight other Martyrs. Collectively they are known as The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

 

 

This year, the Annual pilgrimage in honour of ST DAVID LEWIS will take place on SUNDAY 25th AUGUST 2013.

3:00 p m: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier and St David Lewis, Porth-y-Carne Street, Usk.  Following Benediction, pilgrims will process from the Church to the grave of St David Lewis in the churchyard of St Mary's Priory Church, Usk.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST JOHN KEMBLE, 2013

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST JOHN KEMBLE – 2013

 

 

The Martyrdom of St John Kemble

 

This year, the Annual Pilgrimage in honour of St John Kemble will take place on SUNDAY 18^th AUGUST 2013.  The pilgrimage begins with pilgrims setting off from St Mary’s Catholic Church, Monmouth after the 9 a m Mass at approximately 10 a m.   If you are planning to join this part of the Pilgrimage, be sure to take a packed lunch and suitable clothing!

Meet at 3 p m for readings and prayers at the Martyr’s grave in the churchyard at Welsh Newton.

Return to St Mary’s Church, Monmouth for Benediction at 4:15 p m.  Refreshments will be served in the garden following Benediction.

It is not compulsory to complete all stages of the pilgrimage and you are welcome to join the pilgrimage at either event.

PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS, 2012

Portrait of St David Lewis in the Church of St Francis Xavier and St David Lewis, Usk

Two days ago, Sunday 26th August, the Annual Pilgrimage in honour of St David Lewis took place at Usk.  Despite the very wet summer we have experienced, the sun came out in all its splendour for the procession from Usk's Catholic Church to St Mary's Priory Church where the Martyr's remains are interred.  Below is a short video of the procession.

 

 

Mary in Monmouth has a good post about  Sunday's pilgrimage.  Click here to see it.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF ST DAVID LEWIS

St David Lewis depicted in a stained glass window in the Catholic Church, Porth-y-Carne St, Usk

The Annual Pilgrimage in honour of St David Lewis will take place on Sunday 26th August 2012.  The programme is as follows:

3:00 p m:  Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Catholic Church of SS Francis Xavier and St David Lewis, Porth-y-Carne St, Usk.

Ss Francis Xavier  & David Lewis Church, Porth-y-Carne St, Usk

Immediately Following Benediction, there will be a procession to the Martyr's grave at the Priory Church of St Mary, Usk.

The grave of St David Lewis, Priory Church, Usk

After a short service at the graveside, refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall, Porth-y-Carne St.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE GRAVE OF ST JOHN KEMBLE

THE GRAVE OF ST JOHN KEMBLE AT WELSH NEWTON

The Annual Pilgrimage to the grave of St John Kemble at Welsh Newton will take place on Sunday 19th August 2012. His Grace Archbishop George Stack will be in attendance. The programme is as follows:

10 a m: MONMOUTH
The walk begins from St Mary’s Church, Monmouth. Pilgrims are advised to bring a packed lunch.

3 p m: WELSH NEWTON
Rosary, Readings and prayers at the grave of St John Kemble in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Welsh Newton, Herefordshire.

4:15 p m: MONMOUTH
Benediction at St Mary's Church, Monmouth. Following Benediction, tea will be served in the garden. 

IMPORTANT!

There are two important things I want to tell you about.

The first is that Jackie Parkes has a new blog, LEADKINDLYLIGHT. It is a great site so be sure to follow the link and have a look at it. You will be very pleased you did. And Jackie, good luck with the new blog. Knowing you, I know we can expect good things from leadkindlylight.

The second important thing is a reminder to those who live in or near USK.

The Annual Pilgrimage to the grave of LAST WELSH MARTYR, ST DAVID LEWIS, will take place on 29th August 2010. The proceedings will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass at 3 o'clock at the Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier and St David Lewis. The church is located on Porth-Y-Carne Street, Usk. After Mass, there will be a procession to the Saint's grave in the churchyard of the Priory Church. Following a short service at the grave, all are invited to the Parish Hall where light refreshments will be served.

If you are in the area on 29th AUGUST, make a note in your diary and come and pay your respects to a great Welsh Martyr and Saint.