George Gervase

Who was George Gervase?

Blessed George Gervase was an English Benedictine priest who worked as a missionary in England during the period of recusancy. He was martyred at Tyburn.

George Gervase was born in Bosham, Sussex. Losing both parents in boyhood, he was kidnapped by pirates, remaining in captivity over twelve years. He lost his Catholic religion during that period; but, when at last he was able to return to England, and found that his brother Henry had become a voluntary exile in Flanders in order to be able to practice his religion, George followed him there, and was soon reconciled with the Church. He entered the English College at Douai in 1595, and was ordained priest in 1603. He at once went to the English mission, where he worked for over two years. He was arrested in June 1606, and banished with several other clergy.

He then made a pilgrimage to Rome, and there endeavoured to enter the Society of Jesus, but, not being admitted, he returned to Douai, where he was clothed as a novice at the English Benedictine Congregation monastery of St. Gregory’s.