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The Devil is a Jackass
Reading more like an adventure story than an ecclesiastic’s autobiography, The Devil is a Jackass plots the course of William Ullathorne from cabin boy on the high seas to the establishment of the Catholic Bishopric of Birmingham.
A direct descendant of St. Thomas More, Ullathorne spent four years before the mast before seeking to become a monk of the English Benedictine Congregation, entering the monastery at Downside.
He volunteered for the Australian mission, of which he was made first Vicar-General at the astonishingly young age of 26, playing a major part in bringing transportation to an end and publishing the first popular attacks on the convict system.
The key figure behind the establishment of a Catholic Hierarchy in Australia, as the last of the English Vicars-Apostolic, he was later able to use his Australian experience to pilot the reintroduction of the Hierarchy in England.
Here for is the full story of his life told in the Archbishop’s own words. The editor, Leo Madigan, has produced a rich and fascinating account by conflating the two versions of the autobiography produced by Ullathorne.
Ullathorne’s spiritual heirs in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholics of Australia will find this compelling story of particular interest, but general readers interested in the history of the 19th century will also find it an historical and spiritual document of the widest significance.
A direct descendant of St. Thomas More, Ullathorne spent four years before the mast before seeking to become a monk of the English Benedictine Congregation, entering the monastery at Downside.
He volunteered for the Australian mission, of which he was made first Vicar-General at the astonishingly young age of 26, playing a major part in bringing transportation to an end and publishing the first popular attacks on the convict system.
The key figure behind the establishment of a Catholic Hierarchy in Australia, as the last of the English Vicars-Apostolic, he was later able to use his Australian experience to pilot the reintroduction of the Hierarchy in England.
Here for is the full story of his life told in the Archbishop’s own words. The editor, Leo Madigan, has produced a rich and fascinating account by conflating the two versions of the autobiography produced by Ullathorne.
Ullathorne’s spiritual heirs in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholics of Australia will find this compelling story of particular interest, but general readers interested in the history of the 19th century will also find it an historical and spiritual document of the widest significance.
- GenresReligion
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
About the author
William Bernard Ullathorne
76 books7 followersWilliam Bernard Ullathorne, OSB, born in Yorkshire, England, in 1806, was a descendant of St. Thomas More and of other Catholics who stayed true to their Faith during a time when many were falling away owing to Protestant persecution. This heritage was to reveal itself later in life, when Ullathorne worked unceasingly for the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in England.
Becoming enamored of the sea at a young age, Ullathorne worked as a cabin boy for most of his youth, but he was eventually led in 1823 to enter the Benedictine order at Downside, where he was ordained a priest seven years later. From that time on, he led the life Of an active and zealous missionary, both in Australia and, later, closer to home in Coventry, until he was named Vicar Apostolic Of the western half Of England in 1846, Bishop of Birmingham in 1850, and, finally, Titular Archbishop of Cabasa.
Although he is known for his aggressive apostolic zeal, Archbishop Ullathorne is perhaps best remembered for his famous — and all-encompassing — spiritual treatise The Groundwork of the Christian Virtues.
He writes in an engaging and practical yet earnest manner that conveys to the reader the importance of the virtues -- particularly humility -- and the daily struggles and opportunities that are involved in achieving holiness.
Becoming enamored of the sea at a young age, Ullathorne worked as a cabin boy for most of his youth, but he was eventually led in 1823 to enter the Benedictine order at Downside, where he was ordained a priest seven years later. From that time on, he led the life Of an active and zealous missionary, both in Australia and, later, closer to home in Coventry, until he was named Vicar Apostolic Of the western half Of England in 1846, Bishop of Birmingham in 1850, and, finally, Titular Archbishop of Cabasa.
Although he is known for his aggressive apostolic zeal, Archbishop Ullathorne is perhaps best remembered for his famous — and all-encompassing — spiritual treatise The Groundwork of the Christian Virtues.
He writes in an engaging and practical yet earnest manner that conveys to the reader the importance of the virtues -- particularly humility -- and the daily struggles and opportunities that are involved in achieving holiness.
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February 15, 2024
This book is absolutely fantastic. Well worth a read!
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