8
There is little recorded information
on Father Nicholas Postgate, due to
the time frame in which he lived and
the absolute secrecy of his work. He
was a Catholic priest during the penal
period which lasted more than 200
years when the historic Catholic Faith
of England was suppressed and outlawed
in its own country. To practice as a Catholic priest was
classed as treason by an Elizabethan law
passed in 1585, which was subjected to
the most harsh of the many penal laws
in place. At the age of 83, Fr. Postgate
died a martyr’s death, by hanging, disemboweling
and, then, having his body
cut into pieces by English authorities.
For over 51 years, every morning, he
arose and was faced with the reality
that today this might be his fate. Fear
did not consume him, immobilize him
or silence his forward movement to
save souls. The love of God consumed
his whole being and he went forward
on his glorious mission to bring the
Faith to souls who themselves risked
their fortune and lives to welcome
him into their homes.
On July 4, 1621, Nicholas joined the
English College at Douai, France, which
was set up to teach and ordain priests
to go into England to serve the faithful
and keep Catholicism alive. He was fully
aware of the danger and penalties he
might incur. Should he decide to leave
for any reason and do something else,
his religious orders would be revoked.
On March 20, 1628, he was ordained a
priest. GOD ALONE!
In England, there was a highly
sophisticated network of Catholic
families including gentry in their huge
country houses who would welcome
these traveling priests to give them the
Sacraments. Many of the estate owners
openly conformed to the new State
religion while secretly remaining
Catholics. They had hiding places
called “priest holes” built on their
properties and made use of secret
chapels. Many employed priests as
gardeners, a useful disguise. It is largely
due to their actions that the Faith
survived in England.
After his ordination, Fr. Postgate was
able to secure a prodigious Doctorate of
Divinity Degree at the English College.
Out of the 300 priests trained and
ordained at Douai and sent to England,
160 were executed, and many more
imprisoned. Some were banished from
the Continent.