Arrrr! The Pirate Priest!

From Mementoes of the English Martyrs and Confessors: For Every Day of the Year:

Ven. GEORGE GERVASE, O.S.B., 1608

He was born at Bosham in Sussex. His father belonged to a noted family in that county, and his mother was of the ancient stock of the Shelleys. He was left an orphan when he was twelve years of age, and not long after was kidnapped by a pirate (probably a lieutenant of Drake, who was then buccaneering on the Spanish Main), and was taken to the West Indies with two of his brothers; and, considering his surroundings, the lawlessness, plunder, and bloodshed of a pirate’s life, it is not surprising to learn that he quite lost his religion.

At length he found means of returning to England, and went over to Flanders, where his eldest brother Henry was staying, both for conscience’ sake and to enjoy the free practice of his religion. By his example George was reconciled to the Catholic faith, entered Douay, was ordained priest (1603), and entered on the English Mission (1604). After two years he was apprehended and banished. His brother had provided a comfortable home for him at Lille, but his zeal for souls drew him again to England, where he was shortly apprehended, and, refusing to take the oath of allegiance, was condemned.

He suffered at Tyburn, April 11, 1608, aged thirty-seven, having been admitted to the Benedictine Order.

Quotes:

At his trial: “What I have said, my blood is ready to answer.”

At the gallows, to the minister’s final urgings: “Tut, tut, look to thyself, poor man.”

Via The Hermeneutic of Continuity.

Here’s a senior thesis that talks about pirates’ religious observations. Odd but interesting. It also mentions a French missionary, Fr. Labat, who was captured by pirates, and later wrote a memoir about it. It seems that the pirate Captain Daniels had an interesting way of enforcing reverence during Mass:

“When one of his men became offensive during the Elevation and swore, Daniels shot this crew member through the head and made an oath that to any other “who showed disrespect to the ‘Sainte Sacrifice,’ he would do the same too.’”