12 Facts About Ambrose Barlow

Ambrose Barlow is one of a group of saints canonized by Pope Paul VI who became known as the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Ambrose Barlow was the fourth son of the nobleman Sir Alexander Barlow and his wife Mary Brereton, who was daughter of Sir Urian Brereton of Handforth Hall and his second wife, Alice Trafford On the maternal side of his family he was part of the wider Brereton family, who generally leaned towards the reformed faith.

Ambrose Barlow's cousin was the son of his maternal aunt, Sibila Leigh, the half-sister of Barlow's mother, Mary Barlow.

Ambrose Barlow adhered to the Anglican faith until 1607, when he converted to Roman Catholicism after being brought back to Catholicism by a friend.

In 1613, on a visit to England, Ambrose Barlow was imprisoned for his beliefs for several months; however after being released, he returned to Douai in 1615 where he joined the community of English Benedictine monks at St Gregory's, where his brother Rudesind Ambrose Barlow was prior.

Ambrose Barlow became a member of the Order of Saint Benedict taking the name Ambrose in place of his baptismal name of Edward.

Ambrose Barlow went to Barlow Hall, before taking up residence at the home of Sir Thomas Tyldesley at Morleys Hall, Astley.

For twenty four years, he laboured in south Lancashire which fortunately for Ambrose Barlow was not overly hostile territory for Catholics or their priests.

Ambrose Barlow was arrested four times during his travels and released without charge.

Ambrose Barlow's parishioners implored him to flee or at least go into hiding but he refused.

Father Ambrose Barlow surrendered, and his parishioners were released after their names had been recorded.

On 15 December 1929, Pope Pius XI proclaimed Father Ambrose Barlow as Blessed at his Beatification ceremony at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.