The Autobiography of a Hunted Priest Paperback – June 18, 2012

For those hoping to understand what was happening in England during the time of the persecution of Catholics, this is a superb first-person account that is gripping and readable. It's a great depiction of the heroism not only of this priest and so many priests like him, but of countless families who risked everything to house hunted priests. The book would have been better if it were more than merely text and footnotes, but had included some maps as well as photos of the various hiding spots constructed in order to conceal priests. This book will give Catholics in general courage but would be an excellent gift for priests and seminarians to help them to grow in daily courage.

A brilliant account of the life of a holy priest sacrificing all in an attempt to restore the faith back to England

This is an excellent account of an eyewitness to a very sorry time in England. Similar to the Cristero persecution in Mexico.

This is a fantastic book, very easy read and real page turner. It is basically a Catholic adventure story in 16th century England. The author a Jesuit Priest was surrounded by saints(St Edmund Campion, St John Eudes to name a few), and had heroic tales guided by Divine Providence whom he always credits. It will increase your zeal for the true faith and understand that religous liberty is no guarentee.I recommend it to anyone, but especially if you have a teenager who may seem bored with the faith, this will inspire them.

This is the remarkable story of a Jesuit priest working in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It gives a fascinating view into the persecuted lives of the Catholic aristocracy in England. It reads like a spy novel. It has suspense, heroes and villains. Some of Fr. Gerard's friends were involved in the Gun Powder Plot, although he denied any involvement.I was inspired by this story. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy reading the lives of the Saints and to people that are interested in Elizabethan history. Most English historians don't share the Catholic side of the story.If you want to learn more about Catholic history, I'd recommend anything by Hilliare Belloc.

This book is a beautiful witness of the life and sacrifice of a priest who risked his life to serve Catholics in Elizabethan England. It shows not only what Fr. Gerard endured to bring the sacraments to persecuted Catholics, but also what those Catholics suffered to keep the Faith when it would have been convenient to cave in to Queen Elizabeth's demands that everyone attend services of the Church of England. However, it is not a novel, so it doesn't read like one. It is, in fact, difficult to read. It is also well worth it, especially for those studying the Catholic Church of Elizabethan England or any place or time that the Church has been under persecution. That is why I gave it four stars. It is excellent. It is true. It is inspiring. It deserves five stars for experienced readers, but it is difficult to read, because it sometimes reads like a report. Skim through the play by play parts. Overall, it is worth the trouble. If you like Treason:A Catholic Novel of Elizabethan England, then you would enjoy Autobiography of a Hunted Priest as a nonfiction companion book. Read it!

A compelling read written in the first person by Fr. John Gerard, a Jesuit priest. Unlike the sometimes histrionic descriptions of the sufferings inflicted during the Catholic persecution in England, Fr. Gerard describes his travails in an almost matter-of-fact manner, forgiving his torturers, particularly the jailers who were simply doing their job. After his escape he helped the warden who was responsible for him to escape and supported him and his family for several years. Rarely does an autobiography read as if it were a novel but this book succeeds in that.

This is a stirring account of one Jesuit (the same order as Fr. James Martin) Priest's determination to not only carry out the duties of his office, but also to bring back straying members of the "fold" in dangerous Elizabethan times. It has you biting your nails. I highly recommend this book to anyone who values their faith, and wonders if they are doing enough to support it. It is humbling, indeed!

En bok alla borde läsa som undrar hur reformationen i England gick till och vilka ofgfer den krävde!!

This has to be one of THE most interesting books written about the dangers posed to and the sufferings of Catholic Priests and the Catholic population during the Elizabethan age.This book really brings home the determination, spite and cruelty involved in the persecution of Catholics, purely on religious grounds, by those who followed a new, man-made, State sponsored religion.Fr John Gerard was a Catholic Priest belonging to a Priestly order called the Society of Jesus, more commonly know as the Jesuits. Under instruction from his Superiors, he was tasked with writing this autobiography, outlining his experiences as a Priest in England during the Elizabethan age.This fascinating book goes into Fr Gerard's life on the run in England, pursued by Government agents desperate to arrest him. He tells how he moved from house to house, keeping one step ahead of his pursuers, bringing the Sacraments and spiritual comfort to a persecuted Catholic population.It was interesting to read how once, when his whereabouts had been discovered, every room in the house where he was hiding was torn apart in an attempt to discover where he was hidden. It was described so well you you felt you were actually there looking on.Some time later he was eventually betrayed and arrested, ending up in the Tower of London, where he described the tortures he endured in an attempt to get him to reveal the names and whereabouts of his Catholic contacts. Much to his interrogators' fury he refused point-blank to reveal anything. He had fully expected to be tried and brutally executed, but mercifully he escaped from the Tower and bravely continued with his missionary work thereafter.Jesuits were highly trained and renowned for their intelligence, mastery of Theology and intimate knowledge of Sacred Scripture. No sensible Protestant Minister would dare engage a Jesuit in public theological debate, as to do so would expose the many errors in Protestantism to public ridicule.At that time the Catholic population was FORCED against its will to conform to and adopt a Protestant religion and attend Protestant services which Catholics saw as an heretical religion based on a distorted and false interpretation of Sacred Scripture. The authorities could never have persuaded Catholics to adopt Protestant beliefs through reasoned Biblical debate, which could never stand up to close scrutiny, but only through the threat of hefty fines, arrest, torture and bloody execution. Many Catholics stood firm and paid for it with their lives, many being hung, drawn and quartered.Those persecutions had the sole aim of eradicating Catholicism, which had flourished in England for hundreds of years. Some would argue that this attempt at eradication contributed, in no small part, to the steady spiritual decline of England from the Tudor period to the present day. How Catholicism even survived in England is a miracle in itself and could have only come about through Divine intervention.I say to any Catholic who is wavering in their faith, READ THIS BOOK and you will find the inspiration you seek to continue on your faith journey within the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which itself can be traced directly back two thousand years to Christ himself.

I read it online now I have to buy it. Father John Gerard's life is simple fascinating and extraordinary, no films or novels can be its equal. The most impressive part of this book is that Father John Gerard recorded everything without any self-pity or boasting though he has every reason to do so. He wrote this book not for himself but merely under the obedience to his Supervisor's order (thank Father Acquaviva!). It is called an "autobiography" yet it is rather a group-portrait, for Father John Gerard mentioned every one he has encountered during his English mission. It is an vivid illustration of "the Communion of Saints", that no Catholics live or die alone.A few words at last, I found it is very dirty and disgusting to compete on "which side kills more". If anyone really want to compare, I have to say that no European religion wars ever killed more than our ancient Chinese Emperors, they are of no fixed religions as they believe themselves "son of heaven". Anyone really read into our long, rich yet bloody history would be thankful that their rulers' were at least Christians.

I loved this book. It covered my love of history and also my love of Catholics. I just wish there was more of it. One of my favourite books for a very long time! Loved it!!!!

I couldn't put the book down.I am now reading it again with a pen and paper by my side. Its worth a study. I returned from a holiday in England with a profound feeling of gratitude towards these holy brave priests and their helpers Thankyou to the man who put it back in print. Do you have anymore like it?