All For The Glory Of God

​

Forward

       The Welsh Martyrs are significant figures in our Catholic heritage, Fr. David Lewis, a Jesuit priest, is part of that heritage but it isn’t easy to find many written accounts of his life. Madge Cusack O’Keefe, included an account of St. David Lewis in her book “Four Martyrs of South Wales and the Marches” which was published in 1970 for the Canonization of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales by Pope Paul VI. Sadly that book is no longer in print, so this booklet by John Gray will be a very helpful means of celebrating the 330th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. David Lewis and three other Welsh martyrs, St. John Lloyd, St. John Kemble and St. Philip Evans.

    John Gray gives us a fascinating account of the arrest of David Lewis in 1678, of his trial for High Treason in 1679 at Monmouth Assizes, his incarceration in Newgate prison and his transfer to Usk County Gaol. The exchanges during the trial and the account of his last words before his execution give us an illuminating insight into the man and the martyr, for whom his Catholic faith was the motivation and guide for his daily life. It was for living and proclaiming that faith, that he along with all the other martyrs down the ages, paid the ultimate price - one that he paid out of a profound love for his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Church which he founded and of which he is the Head and Shepherd.

    The example of St. David Lewis should be an inspiration to all of us who try day by day to follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and Master, and through whose intercession we may, please God, remain ever faithful to the gift of faith which we share with this great Welsh martyr.

+ Peter
Archbishop of Cardiff

​