Born in Oxford, England in 1562, Nicholas was the son of a carpenter. 

Growing up with a great faith, he followed in his father’s footsteps in both vocation and devotion but it was a dangerous time to be a Catholic in England, especially for a priest. 

Nicholas spent twenty years using his skills to build safe hiding places for priests across England. 

This was during a period known as “The Penal Times”, when a series of statutes punished Catholics for practicing their faith. 

Whenever Nicholas set out to design these hiding places, he began by receiving The Holy Eucharist and would turn to God in prayer throughout the long, dangerous construction process. 

He became a Jesuit lay brother in 1580, though his connection was kept secret. 

After saving the lives of many priests, including two Jesuits from the Tower of London, he was finally caught in 1594. 

Despite being tortured, he refused to disclose the names of other Catholics. He was freed following a ransom payment and continued his work to protect priests using several aliases, including “Little John”. 

He was arrested again in 1606 and subjected to horrible torture, until his death. 

He was canonized in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. 

St. Nicholas Owen, please pray for us.