Born at Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire on February 26, 1870, the eldest of seven children and given the name Roussel Davids Byles, Thomas was the name chosen when he was received into the Catholic Church. Raised in a Protestant family in Yorkshire, England, he was the son of the Reverend Dr. Alfred Holden Byles, a well-known Congregationalist minister, and his wife Louisa Davids.
Byles was educated at Leamington College and Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire between 1885 and 1889. In 1889, he went to Balliol College, Oxford to study mathematics, modern history and theology. He was also vice-president of the Arnold Society. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1894. During his schooling at Rossall, Roussel began to break away from his Congregational roots. He was influenced both by the weakness of the historical position of nonconformity and their neglect and practical denial of the sacraments. Soon after his arrival at Oxford, he was received into the Church of England. He was quite interested in the writings of the Fathers, apologetics and ritual. He was also very ascetic, and as such, made a daily meditation and went to confession to an Anglican clergyman. Roussel's brother William, however, was the first to cross over into the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Roussel Davids Byles left Oxford after his final examinations. He went to Manresa for a retreat which was conducted by Father E. I. Purbrick SJ., a close friend for the rest of his life. From Manresa he went to Germany to join his Catholic brother, then studying at Tuebingen. In September, his brother went back to England and Thomas went to the monastery of Beuron for a month or six weeks. While there he accepted the position of tutor to the second son of Prince von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldstein.
The next few months were spent visiting religious houses, and in prayer and retirement in Yorkshire. Determining to study for the priesthood he went to Oscott, but found the climate too much for his frail health. After a few months he was hired as a professor at St. Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire, a boy's school and Roman Catholic seminary. He continued his own studies while teaching at St. Edmund's. For a highly-educated man like Thomas, who had spent five years at Oxford, an English seminary had little to offer in the way of scholarly challenges. In 1899, he went to Rome to study for the priesthood at the Beda College. He was ordained in the church of Saint Apollinaris on June 15, 1902. The first few months of his priesthood were spent in Rome. In February of 1903, he went to live in Longcott, Gunnersbury as one of the five founding members of the Catholic Missionary Society, a group dedicated to the conversion of English Protestants to the Catholic Faith. He was then moved to Our Lady Immaculate and the Holy Archangels in Kelvedon for a short time. In 1905 he was assigned to St. Helen's in Ongar, Essex.
This scholar, one time tutor of the German Prince, an intimate friend of Jowett, member of a highly articulate political family was, for seven years, until his death, in charge of a vast country mission, with a tiny church and very few people. Father Byles was humbly devoted to his poor congregation. He was known as a learned man, a good preacher, and a caring priest to his people. He even taught boxing to some young men of Ongar, which was done in a shed behind the church, when they expressed an interest in the sport.
It was the upcoming wedding of Thomas' brother William which prompted this particular trip abroad. William had moved to New York to run a rubber business and had fallen in love with Katherine Russell of Brooklyn. William had asked Thomas to officiate at the ceremony which would take place at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.
On Easter Monday, just two days before Father Byles set sail, Monsignor Edward Watson, a close friend from Brentwood, was visiting as he packed his things for the journey. Their long conversation that evening ranged from the size of trunk Father Byles should take to the anxieties he had about his parish in Ongar. They spoke much of the Titanic, the voyage, and its safety. It was then that Monsignor Watson remembered and emphasised the danger of icebergs at that season. After the last glass of wine had been drunk, and the goodbyes had been said, Monsignor Watson let these ominous words slip from his mouth, "I hope you'll come back again."
On April 10, 1912 Father Thomas Byles made the journey from Essex, bound for Southampton. Arriving at Liverpool Street Station, he went to Waterloo Station, and there joined the Boat Train for Southampton. With second class ticket #244310 in hand, which had cost £13, Father Byles boarded the great ship.
He was able to make arrangements with Captain Smith to have the use of space on the ship in order to say Mass for the passengers of the Titanic since he had brought a portable altar stone and all accessories borrowed from Monsignor Watson.
He spent most of the day Saturday hearing the confessions of those who wished to avail themselves to this grace. On Sunday morning, April 14, Father Byles offered what would be his last Mass. It was Low Sunday, that is the Sunday after Easter. He said Mass first for the second class passengers in their lounge and then for the third class passengers. He preached in English and French on the need for men to have a lifebelt in the shape of prayer and the sacraments to save their souls when in danger of being lost in spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation, just as men require a lifebelt to save themselves when their lives are in danger of being lost in an actual shipwreck.
Of the very few passengers willing to brave the cold, Father Byles had been reciting the Breviarium Romanum, fully dressed in his priestly garb, while walking back and forth on the upper deck at the moment the Titanic struck the iceberg. He acted bravely in his capacity as a spiritual leader of men. Descending to the third class and calming the people, Father Byles gave them his priestly blessing and began to hear confessions; after which, he began the recitation of the Rosary. He then led the third class passengers up to the boat deck and helped load the lifeboats. He gave words of consolation and encouragement to the woman and children as they got into the boats. As the danger became even more apparent, he went about hearing more confessions and giving absolution. By all accounts, Father Byles was twice offered a seat in a lifeboat but refused. After the last lifeboat was gone, he went to the after end of the boat deck and led the recitation of the Rosary for a large group kneeling around him of those who were not able to find room in the boats. Father Byles also exhorted the people to prepare to meet God. As 2.20 am., approached and the stern rose higher and higher out of the sea, Father Byles led the more than one hundred people kneeling before him in the act of contrition and gave them general absolution. If recovered, Father Byles's body was never identified.
Byles was educated at Leamington College and Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire between 1885 and 1889. In 1889, he went to Balliol College, Oxford to study mathematics, modern history and theology. He was also vice-president of the Arnold Society. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1894. During his schooling at Rossall, Roussel began to break away from his Congregational roots. He was influenced both by the weakness of the historical position of nonconformity and their neglect and practical denial of the sacraments. Soon after his arrival at Oxford, he was received into the Church of England. He was quite interested in the writings of the Fathers, apologetics and ritual. He was also very ascetic, and as such, made a daily meditation and went to confession to an Anglican clergyman. Roussel's brother William, however, was the first to cross over into the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Roussel Davids Byles left Oxford after his final examinations. He went to Manresa for a retreat which was conducted by Father E. I. Purbrick SJ., a close friend for the rest of his life. From Manresa he went to Germany to join his Catholic brother, then studying at Tuebingen. In September, his brother went back to England and Thomas went to the monastery of Beuron for a month or six weeks. While there he accepted the position of tutor to the second son of Prince von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldstein.
The next few months were spent visiting religious houses, and in prayer and retirement in Yorkshire. Determining to study for the priesthood he went to Oscott, but found the climate too much for his frail health. After a few months he was hired as a professor at St. Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire, a boy's school and Roman Catholic seminary. He continued his own studies while teaching at St. Edmund's. For a highly-educated man like Thomas, who had spent five years at Oxford, an English seminary had little to offer in the way of scholarly challenges. In 1899, he went to Rome to study for the priesthood at the Beda College. He was ordained in the church of Saint Apollinaris on June 15, 1902. The first few months of his priesthood were spent in Rome. In February of 1903, he went to live in Longcott, Gunnersbury as one of the five founding members of the Catholic Missionary Society, a group dedicated to the conversion of English Protestants to the Catholic Faith. He was then moved to Our Lady Immaculate and the Holy Archangels in Kelvedon for a short time. In 1905 he was assigned to St. Helen's in Ongar, Essex.
This scholar, one time tutor of the German Prince, an intimate friend of Jowett, member of a highly articulate political family was, for seven years, until his death, in charge of a vast country mission, with a tiny church and very few people. Father Byles was humbly devoted to his poor congregation. He was known as a learned man, a good preacher, and a caring priest to his people. He even taught boxing to some young men of Ongar, which was done in a shed behind the church, when they expressed an interest in the sport.
It was the upcoming wedding of Thomas' brother William which prompted this particular trip abroad. William had moved to New York to run a rubber business and had fallen in love with Katherine Russell of Brooklyn. William had asked Thomas to officiate at the ceremony which would take place at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.
On Easter Monday, just two days before Father Byles set sail, Monsignor Edward Watson, a close friend from Brentwood, was visiting as he packed his things for the journey. Their long conversation that evening ranged from the size of trunk Father Byles should take to the anxieties he had about his parish in Ongar. They spoke much of the Titanic, the voyage, and its safety. It was then that Monsignor Watson remembered and emphasised the danger of icebergs at that season. After the last glass of wine had been drunk, and the goodbyes had been said, Monsignor Watson let these ominous words slip from his mouth, "I hope you'll come back again."
On April 10, 1912 Father Thomas Byles made the journey from Essex, bound for Southampton. Arriving at Liverpool Street Station, he went to Waterloo Station, and there joined the Boat Train for Southampton. With second class ticket #244310 in hand, which had cost £13, Father Byles boarded the great ship.
He was able to make arrangements with Captain Smith to have the use of space on the ship in order to say Mass for the passengers of the Titanic since he had brought a portable altar stone and all accessories borrowed from Monsignor Watson.
He spent most of the day Saturday hearing the confessions of those who wished to avail themselves to this grace. On Sunday morning, April 14, Father Byles offered what would be his last Mass. It was Low Sunday, that is the Sunday after Easter. He said Mass first for the second class passengers in their lounge and then for the third class passengers. He preached in English and French on the need for men to have a lifebelt in the shape of prayer and the sacraments to save their souls when in danger of being lost in spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation, just as men require a lifebelt to save themselves when their lives are in danger of being lost in an actual shipwreck.
Of the very few passengers willing to brave the cold, Father Byles had been reciting the Breviarium Romanum, fully dressed in his priestly garb, while walking back and forth on the upper deck at the moment the Titanic struck the iceberg. He acted bravely in his capacity as a spiritual leader of men. Descending to the third class and calming the people, Father Byles gave them his priestly blessing and began to hear confessions; after which, he began the recitation of the Rosary. He then led the third class passengers up to the boat deck and helped load the lifeboats. He gave words of consolation and encouragement to the woman and children as they got into the boats. As the danger became even more apparent, he went about hearing more confessions and giving absolution. By all accounts, Father Byles was twice offered a seat in a lifeboat but refused. After the last lifeboat was gone, he went to the after end of the boat deck and led the recitation of the Rosary for a large group kneeling around him of those who were not able to find room in the boats. Father Byles also exhorted the people to prepare to meet God. As 2.20 am., approached and the stern rose higher and higher out of the sea, Father Byles led the more than one hundred people kneeling before him in the act of contrition and gave them general absolution. If recovered, Father Byles's body was never identified.
Born at Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire on February 26, 1870, the eldest of seven children and given the name Roussel Davids Byles, Thomas was the name chosen when he was received into the Catholic Church. Raised in a Protestant family in Yorkshire, England, he was the son of the Reverend Dr. Alfred Holden Byles, a well-known Congregationalist minister, and his wife Louisa Davids.
Byles was educated at Leamington College and Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire between 1885 and 1889. In 1889, he went to Balliol College, Oxford to study mathematics, modern history and theology. He was also vice-president of the Arnold Society. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1894. During his schooling at Rossall, Roussel began to break away from his Congregational roots. He was influenced both by the weakness of the historical position of nonconformity and their neglect and practical denial of the sacraments. Soon after his arrival at Oxford, he was received into the Church of England. He was quite interested in the writings of the Fathers, apologetics and ritual. He was also very ascetic, and as such, made a daily meditation and went to confession to an Anglican clergyman. Roussel's brother William, however, was the first to cross over into the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Roussel Davids Byles left Oxford after his final examinations. He went to Manresa for a retreat which was conducted by Father E. I. Purbrick SJ., a close friend for the rest of his life. From Manresa he went to Germany to join his Catholic brother, then studying at Tuebingen. In September, his brother went back to England and Thomas went to the monastery of Beuron for a month or six weeks. While there he accepted the position of tutor to the second son of Prince von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldstein.
The next few months were spent visiting religious houses, and in prayer and retirement in Yorkshire. Determining to study for the priesthood he went to Oscott, but found the climate too much for his frail health. After a few months he was hired as a professor at St. Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire, a boy's school and Roman Catholic seminary. He continued his own studies while teaching at St. Edmund's. For a highly-educated man like Thomas, who had spent five years at Oxford, an English seminary had little to offer in the way of scholarly challenges. In 1899, he went to Rome to study for the priesthood at the Beda College. He was ordained in the church of Saint Apollinaris on June 15, 1902. The first few months of his priesthood were spent in Rome. In February of 1903, he went to live in Longcott, Gunnersbury as one of the five founding members of the Catholic Missionary Society, a group dedicated to the conversion of English Protestants to the Catholic Faith. He was then moved to Our Lady Immaculate and the Holy Archangels in Kelvedon for a short time. In 1905 he was assigned to St. Helen's in Ongar, Essex.
This scholar, one time tutor of the German Prince, an intimate friend of Jowett, member of a highly articulate political family was, for seven years, until his death, in charge of a vast country mission, with a tiny church and very few people. Father Byles was humbly devoted to his poor congregation. He was known as a learned man, a good preacher, and a caring priest to his people. He even taught boxing to some young men of Ongar, which was done in a shed behind the church, when they expressed an interest in the sport.
It was the upcoming wedding of Thomas' brother William which prompted this particular trip abroad. William had moved to New York to run a rubber business and had fallen in love with Katherine Russell of Brooklyn. William had asked Thomas to officiate at the ceremony which would take place at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.
On Easter Monday, just two days before Father Byles set sail, Monsignor Edward Watson, a close friend from Brentwood, was visiting as he packed his things for the journey. Their long conversation that evening ranged from the size of trunk Father Byles should take to the anxieties he had about his parish in Ongar. They spoke much of the Titanic, the voyage, and its safety. It was then that Monsignor Watson remembered and emphasised the danger of icebergs at that season. After the last glass of wine had been drunk, and the goodbyes had been said, Monsignor Watson let these ominous words slip from his mouth, "I hope you'll come back again."
On April 10, 1912 Father Thomas Byles made the journey from Essex, bound for Southampton. Arriving at Liverpool Street Station, he went to Waterloo Station, and there joined the Boat Train for Southampton. With second class ticket #244310 in hand, which had cost £13, Father Byles boarded the great ship.
He was able to make arrangements with Captain Smith to have the use of space on the ship in order to say Mass for the passengers of the Titanic since he had brought a portable altar stone and all accessories borrowed from Monsignor Watson.
He spent most of the day Saturday hearing the confessions of those who wished to avail themselves to this grace. On Sunday morning, April 14, Father Byles offered what would be his last Mass. It was Low Sunday, that is the Sunday after Easter. He said Mass first for the second class passengers in their lounge and then for the third class passengers. He preached in English and French on the need for men to have a lifebelt in the shape of prayer and the sacraments to save their souls when in danger of being lost in spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation, just as men require a lifebelt to save themselves when their lives are in danger of being lost in an actual shipwreck.
Of the very few passengers willing to brave the cold, Father Byles had been reciting the Breviarium Romanum, fully dressed in his priestly garb, while walking back and forth on the upper deck at the moment the Titanic struck the iceberg. He acted bravely in his capacity as a spiritual leader of men. Descending to the third class and calming the people, Father Byles gave them his priestly blessing and began to hear confessions; after which, he began the recitation of the Rosary. He then led the third class passengers up to the boat deck and helped load the lifeboats. He gave words of consolation and encouragement to the woman and children as they got into the boats. As the danger became even more apparent, he went about hearing more confessions and giving absolution. By all accounts, Father Byles was twice offered a seat in a lifeboat but refused. After the last lifeboat was gone, he went to the after end of the boat deck and led the recitation of the Rosary for a large group kneeling around him of those who were not able to find room in the boats. Father Byles also exhorted the people to prepare to meet God. As 2.20 am., approached and the stern rose higher and higher out of the sea, Father Byles led the more than one hundred people kneeling before him in the act of contrition and gave them general absolution. If recovered, Father Byles's body was never identified.
Byles was educated at Leamington College and Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire between 1885 and 1889. In 1889, he went to Balliol College, Oxford to study mathematics, modern history and theology. He was also vice-president of the Arnold Society. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1894. During his schooling at Rossall, Roussel began to break away from his Congregational roots. He was influenced both by the weakness of the historical position of nonconformity and their neglect and practical denial of the sacraments. Soon after his arrival at Oxford, he was received into the Church of England. He was quite interested in the writings of the Fathers, apologetics and ritual. He was also very ascetic, and as such, made a daily meditation and went to confession to an Anglican clergyman. Roussel's brother William, however, was the first to cross over into the Roman Catholic Church.
Thomas Roussel Davids Byles left Oxford after his final examinations. He went to Manresa for a retreat which was conducted by Father E. I. Purbrick SJ., a close friend for the rest of his life. From Manresa he went to Germany to join his Catholic brother, then studying at Tuebingen. In September, his brother went back to England and Thomas went to the monastery of Beuron for a month or six weeks. While there he accepted the position of tutor to the second son of Prince von Waldburg-Wolfegg-Waldstein.
The next few months were spent visiting religious houses, and in prayer and retirement in Yorkshire. Determining to study for the priesthood he went to Oscott, but found the climate too much for his frail health. After a few months he was hired as a professor at St. Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire, a boy's school and Roman Catholic seminary. He continued his own studies while teaching at St. Edmund's. For a highly-educated man like Thomas, who had spent five years at Oxford, an English seminary had little to offer in the way of scholarly challenges. In 1899, he went to Rome to study for the priesthood at the Beda College. He was ordained in the church of Saint Apollinaris on June 15, 1902. The first few months of his priesthood were spent in Rome. In February of 1903, he went to live in Longcott, Gunnersbury as one of the five founding members of the Catholic Missionary Society, a group dedicated to the conversion of English Protestants to the Catholic Faith. He was then moved to Our Lady Immaculate and the Holy Archangels in Kelvedon for a short time. In 1905 he was assigned to St. Helen's in Ongar, Essex.
This scholar, one time tutor of the German Prince, an intimate friend of Jowett, member of a highly articulate political family was, for seven years, until his death, in charge of a vast country mission, with a tiny church and very few people. Father Byles was humbly devoted to his poor congregation. He was known as a learned man, a good preacher, and a caring priest to his people. He even taught boxing to some young men of Ongar, which was done in a shed behind the church, when they expressed an interest in the sport.
It was the upcoming wedding of Thomas' brother William which prompted this particular trip abroad. William had moved to New York to run a rubber business and had fallen in love with Katherine Russell of Brooklyn. William had asked Thomas to officiate at the ceremony which would take place at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.
On Easter Monday, just two days before Father Byles set sail, Monsignor Edward Watson, a close friend from Brentwood, was visiting as he packed his things for the journey. Their long conversation that evening ranged from the size of trunk Father Byles should take to the anxieties he had about his parish in Ongar. They spoke much of the Titanic, the voyage, and its safety. It was then that Monsignor Watson remembered and emphasised the danger of icebergs at that season. After the last glass of wine had been drunk, and the goodbyes had been said, Monsignor Watson let these ominous words slip from his mouth, "I hope you'll come back again."
On April 10, 1912 Father Thomas Byles made the journey from Essex, bound for Southampton. Arriving at Liverpool Street Station, he went to Waterloo Station, and there joined the Boat Train for Southampton. With second class ticket #244310 in hand, which had cost £13, Father Byles boarded the great ship.
He was able to make arrangements with Captain Smith to have the use of space on the ship in order to say Mass for the passengers of the Titanic since he had brought a portable altar stone and all accessories borrowed from Monsignor Watson.
He spent most of the day Saturday hearing the confessions of those who wished to avail themselves to this grace. On Sunday morning, April 14, Father Byles offered what would be his last Mass. It was Low Sunday, that is the Sunday after Easter. He said Mass first for the second class passengers in their lounge and then for the third class passengers. He preached in English and French on the need for men to have a lifebelt in the shape of prayer and the sacraments to save their souls when in danger of being lost in spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation, just as men require a lifebelt to save themselves when their lives are in danger of being lost in an actual shipwreck.
Of the very few passengers willing to brave the cold, Father Byles had been reciting the Breviarium Romanum, fully dressed in his priestly garb, while walking back and forth on the upper deck at the moment the Titanic struck the iceberg. He acted bravely in his capacity as a spiritual leader of men. Descending to the third class and calming the people, Father Byles gave them his priestly blessing and began to hear confessions; after which, he began the recitation of the Rosary. He then led the third class passengers up to the boat deck and helped load the lifeboats. He gave words of consolation and encouragement to the woman and children as they got into the boats. As the danger became even more apparent, he went about hearing more confessions and giving absolution. By all accounts, Father Byles was twice offered a seat in a lifeboat but refused. After the last lifeboat was gone, he went to the after end of the boat deck and led the recitation of the Rosary for a large group kneeling around him of those who were not able to find room in the boats. Father Byles also exhorted the people to prepare to meet God. As 2.20 am., approached and the stern rose higher and higher out of the sea, Father Byles led the more than one hundred people kneeling before him in the act of contrition and gave them general absolution. If recovered, Father Byles's body was never identified.
