The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest

by John Gerard

Truth is stranger than fiction. And nowhere in literature is it so apparent as in this classic work, the Autobiography of a Hunted Priest. This autobiography of a Jesuit priest in Elizabethan England is a most remarkable document and John Gerard, its author, a most remarkable priest in a time when to be a Catholic in England courted imprisonment and torture; to be a priest was treason by act of Parliament.

Smuggled into England after his ordination and dumped on a Norfolk beach at night, Fr. Gerard disguised himself as a country gentleman and traveled about the country saying Mass, preaching and ministering to the faithful in secret - always in constant danger. The houses in which he found shelter were frequently raided by "priest hunters"; priest-holes, hide-outs and hair-breadth escapes were part of his daily life. He was finally caught and imprisoned, and later removed to the infamous Tower of London where he was brutally tortured.

The stirring account of his escape, by means of a rope thrown across the moat, is a daring and magnificent climax to a true story which, for sheer narrative power and interest, far exceeds any fiction. Here is an accurate and compelling picture of England when Catholics were denied their freedom to worship and endured vicious persecution and often martyrdom.

But more than the story of a single priest, the Autobiography of a Hunted Priest epitomizes the constant struggle of all human beings through the ages to maintain their freedom. It is a book of courage and of conviction whose message is most timely for our age.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Catholic, Religion, Autobiography, Memoir

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Father John Gerard, SJ

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everyone can claim to have escaped from London Tower. Fr. John Gerard’s Autobiography of a Hunted Priest would be worth reading for that event alone, except it isn’t even the most interesting part of the book.

JG—as the editor refers to him—was a humble chronicler, writing a private account of his adventures for his fellow Jesuits, and perhaps especially, for the novices under his direction. As such, he tended to downplay his own achievements and indeed, recognized there were many priests whose accomplishments in England were more significant than his. It is thought he wrote at the order of his Jesuit Superiors sometime around 1609, years after the events he is describing.

The autobiography is written in a very straightforward manner considering its subject matter of constant fear of capture, hiding, torture, violent death, etc. JG writes about schismatic ‘Catholics’, Puritans, turncoat and restless priests, martyred priests, extremely devout/and not-so-devout laity, wealthy landowners of both traditions and Protestants sympathetic to the sufferings of the prisoners at the gallows.

Gerard’s book is a veritable Who’s Who of late Elizabethan England: Anthony Babington; Mary Stuart; (St.) Father Robert Southwell; (St.) Father Edmund Campion; (St.) Margaret Clitherow; Richard Topcliffe; and Henry Garnet to name a few.

JG traveled the circuit of the landed Catholic gentry, but not because of undue interest in drawing converts from the noble and wealthy classes. Rather, because it would have been impossible to move freely about the countryside staying in small homes in towns or villages where everyone knew everyone. It was only in the larger estates where a priest could be hidden once he found a favorable welcome. This was probably the most interesting part of the book for me—discovering how Gerard moved from house to house, befriending first one or two and later maybe more, until eventually he usually succeeded in converting the entire household. Amazing, if you think about it. These people were risking everything. Their faith really mattered to them.

Highly recommended!


July 7, 2018: Okay, Jay you are right, I am past minding the footnotes. In fact, in many cases those provide some of the most insightful, if not always pleasant, reading! In particular, the concerted effort to eradicate Catholicism from England. Scores of priests as well as laity (men and women) were systematically hunted down, tortured, imprisoned and martyred at this time; martyred, because all they had to do was go to one Protestant 'service', renounce the pope or (not 'and') kiss the new English translation of the Bible and they could go free. They were accused of 'treason' but all swore allegiance to Queen Elizabeth. One extremely moving account concerned Thomas Rigby, a poor, but large, well-built man who died bravely despite the heinous nature of his death, soliciting a disgusted reaction from the crowd toward the executioners rather than the accused, as it took so many to cruelly hack him to death.

July 5, 2018: So many footnotes! And very detailed ones which provide helpful background context, especially to the numerous persons, places and vague allusions. All good info but it makes for choppy reading going back and forth; some are on the page, but more detailed info is in the back of the book. I know, give me the moon and I will complain about the color. Slow going...


July 2, 2018: An elderly gentleman from church who passes on books he is finished with gave me this awhile back. I recently came upon it looking for something else and the title caught my eye as interesting. Then my GRs friend, Jay, told me he is almost finished with this and said it is excellent. Two hints...

[Elanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read my share of historic autobiographies, and generally speaking, those that come before the novel read VERY much like the authors had never read a novel. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this book, and contribute it to the following: a) I read it immediately following a trip to the midlands -- I actually purchase the book at the Badsley Clinton gift shop; a manor house whose priest hole(s) are featured in Gerards story. b)I'm catholic, and my sympathys are certainly easy to distinguish in English reformation history.

This story in particular though, is incredible. . . it's not everyone who escapes from the tower of london!

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and inspiring memoir of an Elizabethan and Jacobean Jesuit missionary in England who, as he says, "did not merit the crown of martyrdom," although he was arrested and tortured. He escaped from the Tower of London and eventually to the Continent, after he was accused, along with other Jesuits, of complicity in the Gunpowder Plot. In fact he knew nothing about it, and the Jesuits tried to persuade the plotters not to go forward, but several, including the superior, were executed. Most of the book concerns his work during the reign of Elizabeth I, from 1588 on. He traveled from house to house, reconciling Anglicans to the Catholic Church, strengthening the resolve of many of the remaining Catholics, and incidentally recruiting men to leave the country and join the Society of Jesus and women to join the English houses of sisters that were forming in Belgium and France. His story is full of inspiring examples, and even miracles. The editors provide copious notes explaining who many of the characters are, since Fr. Gerard does not identify many of the English Catholics who helped him, since by taking him in they were risking the penalty of death; likewise returning to the Catholic Church was a capital crime. He wrote his account in Latin for the benefit of the students in the Jesuit seminary where he taught, since they were being prepared for the English mission and possible martyrdom. The translation is modern and highly readable.

[Judine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be fascinating on a number of levels. First, I was interested because Fr. Gerard was used as a character in the young adult novel Shakespeare's Spy. In the novel, his ability to change character to hide among the London populace was emphasized. His actual autobiography stresses his relationship with various people and families in more detail. His devotion to the Jesuit priesthood and the Catholic Church during the Renaissance is humbling, especially since he takes the trouble of talking up the people he is a spiritual guide for more than he does himself. A worthwhile read, but it does require some concentration to get the full impact.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This is real history.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars. The prose is a bit dull at times, but the content is fascinating! Father Gerard's sense of humor and his compassion come through on so many occasions in this book. I now have two pieces of head canon concerning Father Gerard. The first is that he and Bonhoeffer are best friends in heaven. This comes from how Father Gerard cared for his prison warder after his escape from The Tower of London. The second is Sir Everard Digby as Father Gerard's wingman who fends off well meaning mothers hoping to marry their daughters to that nice friend of yours who didn't realize that nice friend of his was a Jesuit Priest.
All jokes aside though, I did enjoy this book. It is a fascinating look at what life was like for Catholics and Jesuits living in England during the reigns of Elizsbeth I and James I. His stories are spiritually uplifting in many cases. I love that loser of card games had to say an Ave Maria for every counter returned when the game was played by Catholics as a cover when he was interacting with Protestants.
It should be noted that this book only has a small section on the Gunpowder Plot. He wrote another volume specifically about the Gunpowder Plot which is not included in this edition.

[Kami S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting autobiography. There were a lot of people he speaks of, and many notes and appendixes, so it gets a little confusing here and there.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating firsthand account of the ministry in England of Father John Gerard, S.J. (1564-1637) during the reigns of Elizabeth & James. It was a time when Catholics could be arrested, punished or executed for practicing their religion. Gerard's is a an honest, sometimes graphic account of his & others' sufferings, as well as a memorial to the strength of his faith, his humility, & his utter devotion to his ministry, which was mainly trying to convince those of the upper classes to convert & practice Catholicism. One has to remember that this was the "old days" when some Catholic beliefs & practices seemed, & perhaps were, extremely rigid, even slightly fanatical. But Gerard, being a truly devoted Jesuit, really seems to have tried to form people in the faith, in a quite positive sense. He had an intense sense of fairness, and a sense of his own religious boundaries, and if they conflicted with the politics of the day, Gerard was willing to take the consequences, even to death, if necessary. He lived close to the time of some of the great Jesuits, mostly martyrs: Robert Southwell, Edmund Campion, etc.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book on recommendation, and started reading it when I found a copy at my grandparent's house. Since I can't remember the exact date I started it, I'm guessing below.


CONS OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HUNTED PRIEST

Can't really think of any.


PROS OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HUNTED PRIEST

It's pretty educational.

It's also inspiring to see such faith in people.

These were all real people and real events, so it was even better because of that.


OVERALL

It took me about 30 pages to get used to the way the writing flowed. It's translated from Latin, and it was written at a time when Old Elizabethan English would've been used. But once you get used to it, it's easy to understand.

[Sarah Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one thing to hear that people were martyred in England for their faith during this period, but to read an autobiography where you hear how ubiquitous the process was, is jarring. To hear the interactions this priest had with various good people, whereafter he asserts "later martyred" causes pause in every instance. I listened to the audiobook on my walks and the book really helps you to enter that time period and to understand how much these people (men and women) gave for their faith, is beautiful. It really stands as an inspiring testament.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and interesting account of a priest during the Catholic persecution in England. I had to have my phone close by to Google names of people mentioned.

[brother Benignus · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing 10/10 very good will read again.
Can’t wait to talk about this book with the homies who have read it. I think it’s very very relevant to our times.

[Evan Whyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Jesuit classic 🏃

[Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable and edifying first hand account of missionary work and Catholic heroism, during state enforced persecution (when is it not?)

After reading and discussing with priests and friends, I am quite convinced of the soundness of the doctrine of equivocation - of mental reservation/ withholding information in a manner in which a wise and prudent man would be unable to discern the direct truth from your statement. To summarize its defense: in circumstances where you are questioned by one without authority, and where refusing to answer would amount to a response that would injure yourself or a neighbor, practically and morally you are obliged to answer in a manner that would not reveal information so as to avoid offending against charity and justice.

There were many occasions when Fr. Gerard and others were arrested and tortured to give information on their fellow Catholics. They were willing rather to die, and did all in their power to protect their neighbor. Their holy perseverance was authentically marked by signal graces and miracles. Praise God.

I highly recommend this book for those who would appreciate practical and historical examples of sanctity in times of persecution. Especially relevant to those living in anglosphere countries during the rise of this New World Order.

Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.

[Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. The setting of this autobiography is such fertile ground for the telling of exciting and tense stories and the author tells many of them. Fr Gerard details the acts of Catholic priests and the network of lay people attempting to bring England into the fold during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a time when freedom of worship was restricted and being Catholic was a political act against the government. Story is loaded with smuggling, safe-houses, subterfuge, spycraft, priest-hunters, torture, imprisonment, death, the Tower of London, and the Gunpowder Plot.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really thought I'd enjoy this, but I didn't. The writing is extremely prosaic, and it's as much a sort of hagiography as anything else (this decapitated priest's head never turned black even when it was on a pole!!! this well and stream always turned blood-red on the feast day of the saint who was martyred there!!!), that I could barely keep turning the pages as long as I did. Perhaps this is because it was written by a Catholic priest during the reign of Elizabeth, and there wasn't much in the way of great writing examples for him. Well, except Shakespeare and Marlowe and Bacon and Spenser and Augustine and the Church Fathers and perhaps one or two others. So much for that. In fairness, the author, John Gerard, S.J., was, I believe, asked to narrate his story by a superior, or at least that's how he starts the autobiography, so either he was just being modest and humble, or he really was required to write although he is clearly a terrible writer.

The problem is that it's paragraph after paragraph about one person and another and another, most of whom you never hear about again; their situations are told in a very declarative style, and it often seems that the author is writing one big thank-you note to people he feels helped him or his cause:

"In the course of my stay in this third residence I gave the Spiritual Exercises to several people--and, among others, to two gentlemen who to this day both stand loyally by the resolutions they then made and are both firm friends of the Jesuits, each in his district. The first, Mr John Lee, only quite recently defended some thesis in philosophy at Rome. He is now back in England and is always ready to shelter ours and to supply their financial needs.The other is a man who has proved himself utterly trustworthy in one difficult business after another. Five or perhaps six years later both made a second retreat, and it was most consoling to see how well they made it." 

OK, who cares about these two gentlemen and their excellent retreats? Who cares about some unknown guy's thesis defense in Rome? And so then he goes on for two more paragraphs:

"I must not forget to mention a certain lady and her husband (they were gentlefolk) who made a vow of chastity. They had often proposed it to me, but I knew the dangers of an undertaking such as this and would not hear of it. However, they persisted; . . . I kept in touch with them for many years afterward and I can say that during all that time they remained faithful to their vow.

"I also sent abroad for study a number of young men who aspired to the priestly life. One of them died at Douai. During his studies he had done very well . . . Others are now Jesuit priests. . . . some also are serving God in their own different spheres, for example, Father John Bolt. His musical talent was outstanding and won him the affection of a very powerful patron. but he laid this aside . . . in order to attach himself to me . . . . "

(All quotes from pp. 58-59)

There are seemingly thousands of "certain" ladies and gentlemen and priests and it's tedious. Very . . . tedious . . . . Yawn.

I usually gobble up old-fashioned inspirational memoirs, but this one is so dreadfully boring that I had to quit about one-third of the way through it. I flipped through and randomly read pages here and there, and it looked like more of the same.

The one value of it for me was getting a more concrete sense of the tragic religious divisions of that time period. The guy is extremely self-satisfied and self-righteous, and doesn't seem to see that religious persecution and intolerance is the main problem; he vilifies those horrid heretical Protestants and I got the definite impression he would be the persecutor if the tables were turned. The Protestants were terrible to Catholics; the Catholics engaged in the same behaviors when they had the chance. How tragic. No wonder there are so many self-righteous atheists these days -- you read something like this, and it makes you wonder how anybody survived, they were all so busy trying to kill each other!

I suppose that sums up my problem with this book: it wasn't inspiring, it didn't arouse greater faithfulness in me, it simply appeared to be a long defense that could be titled Why My Faith and I Are More Righteous Than The Other Faith and Its Adherents.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the pope declared Elizabeth I of England illegitimate in 1570 and released her subjects from obedience to her, several conspiracies threatened her life, all of which were defeated with the help of her ministers' secret service. Agents in the field were the ardent pursuivants, a new word to me I actually first learned on recently reading Sea Changes: British Emigration and American Literature. Not covered in their Wikipedia article, in Elizabethan England they chased around secret priests and sought out their artfully constructed hiding places in the homes of well-heeled protectors. Once caught, these were interred, tortured, and often martyred. 2 of the 3 happened to the author here, including imprisonment in The Tower as The Clink. (I didn't there was one, so this adds to my etymological knowledge, too.)

Active during the final period of Elizabeth's reign, John Gerard (1564-1637) was an English Jesuit priest, operating covertly in England where the Catholic Church was subject to persecution. He successfully hid from the English authorities for eight years before his capture, endured torture, escaped from the Tower of London by rope and boat and continued his covert mission. This is a rare, first-hand account of the deadly cloak-and-dagger world of a Catholic priest in Elizabethan England that would make for a great movie!

[Dom. Ugo Maria Ginex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest recounts not only Fr. Gerard’s own adventures but the similar adventures, courage, and even martyrdoms of many other priests and laity. It also recounts the many conversations Fr. Gerard and other priests were able to have with family members, friends and servants in the various households, through which they brought a great many souls back to the Catholic Faith, as well as strengthening those who were wavering. In addition, of course, the Church in hiding depended on the administration of the sacraments by these secret priests, who worked under a continual sentence of death.

The Ignatius edition was originally translated from the Latin by Philip Caraman, SJ around 1950; it includes extensive (and frequently illuminating) notes. It also boasts a new introduction by Fr. James Schall, and nine appendices which provide additional information on such things as Fr. Gerard’s residences, the Catholic defense of equivocation in the work of the Mission, and the Gunpowder Plot, which put several priests, including Fr. Gerard, in grave danger and resulted in more martyrs.

It serves as a fascinating history, a story of saintly heroism, a tale of high adventure, a spiritual preparation for the work of the New Evangelization—and perhaps a warning of things to come.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primary source that is also readable and enjoyable. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Catholic history and/or the history of England as a whole. it reads like an older novel but with plenty of clear and accurate historical facts, and all the charm of being a true, firsthand account of life as a Jesuit priest in a time when being one was an automatic death warrant.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, detailed account of Father John Gerard, contemporary of Fr Robert Southwell (accomplished poet and martyr), who was hunted by officials in Elizabethan England. He provides a detailed account of his daily life during his pursuit, and despite the horror of being hunted, captured, and tortured, he persisted in winning souls for Christ in their conversion to Catholicism.

[Alistair Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography by an Elizabethan Jesuit Priest rolls along at a brisk pace and in places is as good as a spy novel. He describes the mission to England, the persecution of Catholics and his various adventures including escaping from the Tower of London. There are accounts of various narrow escapes in various country houses, which the author attributes naturally to divine intervention, descriptions of priest holes and the role of various gentry and nobles who remained loyal or at least sympathetic to the old faith.
In places it becomes a bit disjointed and it is very much of its period i.e all Protestants are damned, there is an fairly interesting musing on the justification of equivocation when facing questioning by the state authorities.
Perhaps less convincing is his views on one of the central Protestant fears of the period, could a Catholic be both loyal to the Pope and a Protestant Monarch and which side would they take in the event of an invasion of England sanctioned by the Pope?
As a record of true events and of a time when the Catholic faith was surpressed in England (and to be a Priest invited death) this is an important book as well as being a pretty rollicking adventure yarn in places.
Recommended

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest was written in Latin in 1597. This is the breath-holding story of Father John Gerard, S. J. The entire situation is hard to believe.

The setting is England during the reign of King James. Catholicism is outlawed so certainly being a priest was dangerous. This didn't stop priests from ministering to the people, especially the Jesuits.

I also cringed at the tortures that were inflicted. How can people be so cruel? What kind of people think up such cruel, inhuman ways of punishment?

I was surprised that gentlemen prisoners were treated better than poor ones. I was also surprised that Father Gerard seemed to only ingratiate himself with the rich. He wasn't hiding in huts, barns, sheds, or in the woods. Even so, his hardships were great.

He survived! And thrived! He was tortured and escaped.

Another surprise was the bravery of Catholics. They sought martyrdom. They looked forward to it.

Could I be a martyr? Maybe. If I was killed quick.

[Jason Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the author's writing and narrative structure left something to be desired. The sincerity of his faith in the face of years worth of crushing persecution was nothing short of amazing to read about. Here was a man who risked his life every day for his church and its faithful and did so with humility and grace.

Now days, it seems like we Catholics have grown soft. Holy days are "transferred" so that the faithful won't have to attend church twice in two days. People complain when incense is burned because they don't like the smoke or the smell, and most efforts to urge parishioners to follow the precepts of the church, even if they are difficult, is met with apathy and disdain.

God bless Fr. Gerard and so many others that have gone before or since that are like him. They really are a desperately needed source of inspiration to us all.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasonably fast-paced and action-packed narrative of the occupation of just one of the great English Jesuit Fathers operating quietly in Elizebethan England during a period of vicious anti-Catholic persecution. The book contains much information about the recusant families and the networks that were maintained among them, and among the priests - the means by which the Catholic Church survived in England until the appointment of the vicars apostolic under the Holy Father Urban VIII. The translation is very simple, and provides lots of background information and further information through footnotes and references to historical documentation. A solid history and autobiography. Four stars.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book was a little hard to get into because of the relatively old-style language, I found it fascinating. Fr. Gerard was a Jesuit living in Renaissance England (yes, when Catholicism was a crime), so he had a variety of adventures, in addition to some time spent in jail. I was particularly interested in this account, since Fr. Gerard was a character in the young adult novel Shakespeare's Spy.

[Beverly Anaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written and a great translation. Every page was sad but worth reading because the author puts you in the minds of people being persecuted for their faith. You feel their devotion and you feel their desire for greater things that the world cannot give. It's crazy to think that Christians were persecuting other Christians, but it just goes to show how extreme a divide can get within one group.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book several years ago and have never forgotten it. Several scenes have remained in my imagination. In times of my own physical suffering, I picture what this priest suffered in his prison, and try to accept more easily my own physical discomfort.

This period of English history is very interesting to me, and I have read a great deal about the English Catholic martyrs under the Protestant monarchs.

I highly recommend this story, to glimpse the life of Catholics in all stations of life suffering under great persecution, and how the priests lived lives of dedication and suffering to deliver the Sacraments to the Faithful.

[Steve C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great and fascinating story of a priest hunted during the time when all Catholics were hunted as being subversive in England. The King split with the Vatican over his divorce and set up his own religion to allow for divorce. After that he hunted and put to death many Catholics. The efforts this priest went through to evade or escape capture as well chronicled. A very good read for anyone interested in the period from the mid 1500's to the late 1500's England. Highly recommended.

[Thomas Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF I COULD GIVE THIS 10 STARS I WOULD
Fr John Gerard SJ RIP was an incredible priest, and his detailing of life in newly-Protestant England brings it all to harrowing life. We have heard of St Margaret Clitherow, of St Nicholas Owen, of St Edmund Campion, of St John Southworth, and many others, but this book tells the story of what life was truly like in England at the time. I am now obsessively chasing relics!

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely incredible book.
I found the life and account that John Gerard tells fascinating, from hiding in priest holes from Protestant authorities to his torture and grand escape from the Tower of London.
You get a first-hand account of what life was like in the sixteenth century and how powerful but cruel religion was.