Blessed Ralph Milner and Roger Dickenson

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In an age when persecution meant death, two men—one a humble father, the other a secret priest—remained faithful to Christ and His Church. Their names were Ralph Milner and Roger Dickenson, and their witness echoes through the centuries as a bold testimony to fortitude.

Ralph Milner was born a Protestant in Hampshire, England. As a poor tenant farmer, he lived a quiet, hard-working life. But after studying the teachings of the Catholic Church, he converted to the Faith in his later years. His reception into the Church was bittersweet—on the very day he received his First Holy Communion, he was arrested under the penal laws that outlawed Catholic practice.

Despite imprisonment in Winchester, Ralph's calm demeanor and honesty earned the trust of the jailers. In an extraordinary twist of providence, they entrusted him with the keys to the prison. Ralph used that privilege not for his own escape, but to bring imprisoned priests in and out of the jail safely, allowing them to administer the sacraments to the faithful. He became an unsung hero of the English underground Church.

One of the priests Ralph helped was Father Roger Dickenson, a missionary trained in Rheims, France. Roger had returned to England to serve in secret, saying Mass in private homes and hearing confessions at night. His priesthood was illegal—but his mission was clear: to bring Christ to a people starved of the Eucharist. He knew that discovery would mean torture and death.

The two were eventually arrested together. Tried and sentenced, they were offered pardon if they would just attend the services of the Church of England and renounce their loyalty to Rome. Both refused.

On July 7, 1591, at the gallows in Winchester, Ralph kissed each of his eight children and forgave his persecutors. Fr. Roger, beside him, prayed for those about to take his life. Together, they died as witnesses to the truth.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that fortitude “ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good” (CCC 1808). It is not mere stubbornness or brute strength, but a grace-filled courage rooted in love for God.

Blessed Ralph and Blessed Roger show us fortitude in its purest form. They faced real threats—imprisonment, execution, the separation from family—yet chose to suffer rather than betray their Lord. Fortitude isn’t about fearlessness. It's about choosing the good despite fear.

In a world that fears discomfort, they remind us that true love costs. Fortitude empowers us to stand firm in our faith: when mocked for defending Church teaching, when pressured to compromise our morals, or when called to speak the truth in charity.

Their lives invite us to ask: Am I willing to suffer for Christ? Do I live a faith that endures trial?

Blessed Ralph Milner and Blessed Roger Dickenson, pray for us—
that we may stand firm with holy courage, no matter the cost.