Potius hodie quam cras

Matthaus Greuter (Greuther), (1564-1638). or by Paul Maupin (Maupain)

Saint Alexander Briant (1556-1581),  

Line engraving, published 1608

5 5/8 in. x 4 1/4 in. (143 mm x 110 mm)

The National Portrait Gallery, London

For more about Saint Alexander Briant (17 August 1556 – 1 December 1581) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Briant
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01296b.htm

Frederik Bouttats the Younger (1610-1676), 

Edmund Campion (1540-1581), Alexander Briant (1556-1581),  and Ralph Sherwin (1549 or 1550-1581)

Lne engraving, 17th century

10 7/8 in. x 7 1/4 in. (276 mm x 185 mm) 

The National Portrait Gallery, London

For more about Saint Ralph Sherwin (the first member of the English College in Rome to be martyred) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Sherwin
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12636b.htm

For more about Saint Edmund Campion, S.J. (24 January 1540 – 1 December 1581) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Campion
Chapman, John H. "The Persecution under Elizabeth" Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, Old Series Vol. 9 (1881),
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Edmund_Campion

Daniel Fournier (circa 1710-circa 1766), 

Saint Cuthbert Mayne (1544–1577)

Mezzotint, probably early to mid 18th century

6 1/4 in. x 4 3/4 in. (160 mm x 120 mm)

The National Portrait Gallery, London

For more about St Cuthbert Mayn see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuthbert_Mayne
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Bl._Cuthbert_Mayne

"Potius hodie quam cras, as Saint Ralph Sherwin said when asked to take the missionary oath, “rather today than tomorrow”. 

These words aptly convey his burning desire to keep the flame of faith alive in England, at whatever personal cost. 

Those who have truly encountered Christ are unable to keep silent about him. As Saint Peter himself said to the elders and scribes of Jerusalem, “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). 

Saint Boniface, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Saint Francis Xavier, whose feast we keep today, and so many other missionary saints show us how a deep love for the Lord calls forth a deep desire to bring others to know him. 

You too, as you follow in the footsteps of the College Martyrs, are the men God has chosen to spread the message of the Gospel today, in England and Wales, in Canada, in Scandinavia. 

Your forebears faced a real possibility of martyrdom, and it is right and just that you venerate the glorious memory of those forty-four alumni of your College who shed their blood for Christ. 

You are called to imitate their love for the Lord and their zeal to make him known, potius hodie quam cras. The consequences, the fruits, you may confidently entrust into God’s hands." 

Benedict XVI’s address to the Venerable English College in Rome