Episode 1909: St. Anne Line

Saint Anne Line, also known as Ann Lyne, was born in England around 1567 into a devout Catholic family during a time of religious turmoil in England. She lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a period known as the Elizabethan era, marked by tension between Catholics and Protestants.

Anne Line's early life is not extensively documented, but it is known that she grew up in a time when practicing Catholicism was dangerous due to the religious persecution imposed by the English government. During this era, Catholics faced severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and execution, for openly practicing their faith.

In 1585, Anne married Roger Line, a convert to Catholicism, despite the risks associated with being Catholic in England at that time. They were married in secret due to the anti-Catholic laws of the period. Roger Line was a Catholic who had previously been imprisoned for his faith, and Anne shared his religious convictions.

Anne and Roger Line opened their home as a refuge for Catholic priests who were being persecuted for their faith. They provided shelter, food, and support to these priests, who often had to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments clandestinely to avoid arrest. Anne's devotion to her faith and her courage in sheltering priests during this dangerous time earned her recognition among Catholics as a woman of great virtue and piety.

Unfortunately, the Lines' activities eventually attracted the attention of the authorities, and in 1601, Anne Line was arrested for harboring a priest, Father John Gerard. She was imprisoned in Newgate Prison in London, where she endured harsh conditions and interrogations aimed at extracting information about other Catholics. Despite the hardships she faced, Anne remained steadfast in her faith and refused to betray her fellow Catholics.

On February 27, 1601, Anne Line was tried and convicted of treason under the Elizabethan laws that forbade sheltering Catholic priests. She was sentenced to death by hanging at Tyburn Gallows in London. Even as she faced execution, Anne remained resolute in her faith, bravely declaring her allegiance to the Catholic Church and expressing forgiveness for her persecutors.

Anne Line's execution took place on February 27, 1601. She was hanged alongside two priests, Father Roger Filcock and Father Mark Barkworth, who had also been convicted of treason for their Catholic activities. Anne Line's courage and steadfastness in the face of persecution made her a revered figure among English Catholics, and she was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Saint Anne Line's feast day is celebrated on February 27th, commemorating the day of her martyrdom. She is venerated as a patron saint of martyrs, persecuted Christians, and converts. Her life serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the courage of those who stand firm in their beliefs, even in the face of adversity.