Blessed John Gavan
Blessed John Gavan (born 1640 AD in London, England; died June 20, 1679 AD in Tyburn, London, England) was an English Catholic Jesuit priest who was martyred at Tyburn as one of the victims of the Titus Oates "Popish Plot" fabrication. He is venerated among the English martyrs beatified by Pope Pius XI on December 15, 1929. His feast day is June 20.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed John Gavan
| Blessed John Gavan | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 20 |
| Profession | English Catholic Jesuit priest and martyr; born London 1640; Society of Jesus (SJ); ordained priest; returned to England; victim Titus Oates Popish Plot fabrication; martyred hanged drawn and quartered Tyburn London June 20 1679; beatified Pope Pius XI December 15 1929; feast June 20 |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Society of Jesus (Jesuits; SJ); English martyrdom tradition; 17th-century Popish Plot martyrs; London; England; Tyburn martyrs |
| Patronage | England; London; Jesuits; victims of false accusation; those who suffer from political persecution; victims of judicial injustice; Tyburn martyrs |
| Attributes | Jesuit black cassock; palm of martyrdom; noose; June 20 feast; Tyburn setting; Titus Oates context; Popish Plot; companion of Thomas Whitbread and William Harcourt |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Death Place | Tyburn, London, England |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; hanged, drawn, and quartered; died June 20, 1679, at Tyburn, London, England; Blessed John Gavan SJ was an English Catholic Jesuit priest; born London 1640; entered Society of Jesus; ordained priest; returned to England; victim of Titus Oates Popish Plot fabrication; accused of plotting to assassinate King Charles II; arrested tried convicted; martyred hanged drawn and quartered Tyburn London June 20 1679; beatified Pope Pius XI December 15 1929; feast June 20 |
| Primary Shrine | Tyburn, London, England; beatified Pope Pius XI December 15 1929; feast June 20 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; June 20 feast locally in England and Wales |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
John Gavan was born in 1640 in London. He entered the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest. He returned to England to minister to the underground Catholic community.
In 1678, the informer Titus Oates fabricated the "Popish Plot" — a supposed Catholic conspiracy to assassinate King Charles II — triggering a wave of persecution. Gavan was arrested and charged with involvement in the plot. Despite his innocence, he was condemned on perjured testimony.
He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on June 20, 1679, together with four other Jesuit priests: Thomas Whitbread, William Harcourt, Anthony Turner, and Robert Green.
He was beatified by Pope Pius XI on December 15, 1929. His feast day is June 20.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: London, England
Death location: Tyburn, London, England
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Feast day
June 20
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