Father Thomas Byles, of St Helen's Church in Chipping Ongar, was twice asked to board a lifeboat when the Titanic sank on 15 April, 1912. Twice he refused, and instead remained with passengers to pray. Byles performed mass for second and third class passengers on board the ship, most notably on the morning of the tragedy.
To be canonised and made a Saint at least two miracles must be attributed to the intercession of a candidate. Byles was offered preservation in a lifeboat and two times he refused, when this happened sainthood happens immediately. We need to raise him to the altar which means that the Vatican will recognise him as a martyr of the church. He will be recognised as one of the saints, hopefully sooner rather than later, hopefully after the global lockdown.
Byles canonised after lockdown?
posted on 10/4/20
All I will say further on the matter is that graveyards are full of heroes.
posted on 10/4/20
What was he doing on the ship in the first place ?, and who paid for his ticket ?
posted on 11/4/20
Why would you want to shoot a saint out of a cannon?
posted on 11/4/20
Chipping Ongar ! where on earth is that ?
posted on 11/4/20
Essex
posted on 11/4/20
Ohhhhh, he had a very posh name for an Essex boy !
posted on 11/4/20
Harlequin, they called him Tommy !
posted on 11/4/20
Not quite sure why he, as a man, not going before children and women means he should be given a sainthood. I mean, what the hell, but I think it sets the level a bit low for future sainthoods. Plus, dozens of people on the boat prob shower acts of great humanity, so why is the guy who was offered preferential treatment an exception?
posted on 11/4/20
I agree. This is beyond ridiculous.
By far the bigger issue here is the actions of the Ships Officers who ordered him to get on the lifeboats when women and children were still on board. This behaviour warrants a court martial and a dishonourable discharge at the very least.
We need to pursue these individuals and go after them with the full force of the law.
posted on 12/4/20
Oh can't you see, if the lessons of the SS Waratah, Australia's answer to the Titanic weren't learned.
Thy fate was inevitable...