Born in London, William Carter entered the printing business at an early age. For many years he served as apprentice to well-known Catholic printers, one of whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic faith. William himself served time in prison following his arrest for “printing lewd [i.e., Catholic] pamphlets” as well as possessing books upholding Catholicism.
But even more, he offended public officials by publishing works that aimed to keep Catholics firm in their faith. Officials who searched his house found various vestments and suspect books, and even managed to extract information from William’s distraught wife. Over the next 18 months, William remained in prison, suffering torture and learning of his wife’s death.
He was eventually charged with printing and publishing the Treatise of Schisme, which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and which was said to have been written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William calmly placed his trust in God, the jury met for only 15 minutes before reaching a verdict of guilty. William, who made his final confession to a priest who was being tried alongside him, was hanged, drawn, and quartered the following day: January 11, 1584.
He was beatified in 1987.
REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Mark 1:16-17
I do love the beginning of Ordinary Time. And it’s not just the relief at the end of holiday craziness either. It’s the matter-of-fact boldness of it all. We’ve just been immersed in weeks of contemplation of prophecy and expectation, darkness and light, the marvel of the Word Made Flesh, God come to us as a helpless human child. We’ve meditated, sung and celebrated. We’ve been all about the mystery. So now what? Well, according to this, it’s not too complicated. It may be hard, it may be risky, but no—it’s not complicated. “Come after me.” Jesus, I hear your call to me now, in this moment.
POSITIVE LIVING 