Saint Ambrose Barlow – English Martyr of the Reformation

ST. AMBROSE BARLOW

St. Ambrose Barlow was an English Benedictine monk and Catholic priest martyred in 1641 during the English Reformation. He is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales and is venerated for his missionary zeal and fearless witness to the Catholic faith.

Saint Ambrose Barlow was born Edward Barlow on October 19, 1585, in Barlow Hall near Manchester, England, into a noble Protestant family. After converting to Catholicism at the age of 22, he adopted the name Ambrose and eventually entered the English College at Douai, France. There, he trained for the priesthood, and after ordination in 1617, he joined the Benedictine Order.

For 24 years, Ambrose courageously ministered to the hidden Catholic population in England, especially in Lancashire, during a time when Catholicism was outlawed and persecuted. He lived a simple and humble life, moving discreetly from place to place, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and offering spiritual support to the faithful despite the constant threat of arrest.

In 1641, during a crackdown on Catholic priests, Ambrose Barlow was captured while preparing to say Mass. He was taken to Lancaster Castle and imprisoned. Despite being given the opportunity to recant and save his life, he remained steadfast in his faith. On September 10, 1641, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered—a brutal method of execution used for traitors—at the age of 55.

His death made a deep impact on the English Catholic community. In 1970, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales—priests and laypeople who suffered persecution and death for remaining loyal to the Catholic faith during the English Reformation.

Feast Day

10-9-

Birth Date

19-10-1585

Died Date

10-9-1641

Canonised Date

25-10-1970

Lancaster, England

St. Ambrose Barlow, pray for us to remain faithful and courageous in our devotion to Christ. Help us to follow your example of steadfastness in the face of trials. Amen."
ST. AMBROSE BARLOW

Video Not Found

No images uploaded for this saint yet.

The information on this website is compiled from various trusted sources. While we aim for accuracy, some details may be incomplete or contain discrepancies.

If you notice any errors or have additional information about this saint, please use the form on the left to share your suggestions. Your input helps us improve and maintain reliable content for everyone.

All submissions are reviewed carefully, and your personal details will remain confidential. Thank you for contributing to the accuracy and value of this resource.

Credits & Acknowledgments

Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D.
Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe
US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
Wikipedia – General reference content and images
Anastpaul.com – Saint images and reflections
Pravachaka Sabdam (Malayalam) – Saint-related content and insights

We sincerely thank these authors and platforms for their valuable contributions. If we have unintentionally missed any attribution, please notify us, and we will make the correction promptly.