John Bradburne (1921–1979) lived an extraordinary life. He was a reluctant hero of the Second World War, a pilgrim and a hermit, a poet and a musician, a joker and a mystic, and a theologian.

After many years travelling and searching, he found the place that God wanted him to be – living alongside men and women suffering with leprosy in Mutemwa, Zimbabwe, a place he helped transform into a community of peace, joy and love. Soon after his arrival, in 1962, he confided to a Franciscan priest that he had three wishes: to serve leprosy patients, to die a martyr, and to be buried in the habit of St Francis.

The single-minded loving care he gave the residents eventually brought him into conflict with the management committee. He refused to put number tags around the patients necks and reduce their already small diet, so he was sacked. He then lived in a prefab tin hut, lacking water and sanitation, just outside the leprosy compound. From there he continued to help the leprosy patients as much as he could.

As a lay member of the Third Order of St Francis, he obeyed its rule, singing the daily office of Our Lady. He lived its hours, rising at dawn for Matins and ending the day with Vespers and Compline. This discipline provides the context for many poems written at the turning-points of the day.

Then, during the civil war of 1979, John was kidnapped and murdered. Since his martyrdom, word of his life has spread around the world, and miracles have occurred in association with his name.

The cause of John Bradburne is based in the Diocese of Harare, Zimbabwe where John spent his final years working.  It is being coordinated by Archbishop Ndlovu, Dr Enrico Solinas and Father Mgcini Moyo.

On 1 July 2019 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome issued a formal nihil obstat for the cause of  John Bradburne’s beatification to be started.  The cause was officially launched on 5th September 2019 at Mutemwa by the Archbishop of Harare, Archbishop Ndlovo, along with 400 clergymen and 15,000 devotees watching the ceremony.

The John Bradburne Memorial Society was founded as a charity in England in 1995 in order to help support Mutemwa Leprosy and Care Centre in Zimbabwe, in memory of John Bradburne’s dedicated life and work there as Warden between 1969 to 1979.

The Society spreads information about Bradburne’s saintly life and his prolific writings, and produces two newsletters annually, summer and winter, to a broad membership within the UK and abroad.

The sale of books, CD’s and cards contribute to the monthly support JBMS sends out for Mutemwa, which includes donations given by kind benefactors and friends, which ensures that JBMS can continue this charitable work.

There is a great need for funds in order to help sustain the community, for basic running expenses, and also for supporting various income generating projects, the profit of which can be put back into the welfare of the community. Those projects are monitored by the Franciscan Brothers who administer the running of the Centre.

On 10^th June the Society is holding a celebration of John’s life at Buckfast Abbey in honour of John’s 102 birthday. Buckfast holds a significant place in John’s story; he entered the Catholic Church there on the Feast Day of Christ the King in 1947 and whilst at Buckfast explored the possibility of becoming a Benedictine monk.

There will be a Mass in the Abbey Church at 12pm and all are welcome to attend. This celebration will be filled with music from the Haldon String Quartet, playing specially composed music written based on John’s poetry.

There will be talks by French Historian, Didier Rance and British Linguist Academic and Author, Professor David Crystal and an update of John Bradburne’s Cause for Beatification by postulator, Dr Enrico Solinas, along with music from the wonderful Zimbabwe Catholic Community Choir.

Venue: Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0EE Date: Saturday 10th June 2023
Mass: 12pm-1pm
Lunch & Talks: 1pm-3:30pm
Ticket Price: £25 per person Limited accommodation is available.
Contact JBMS for further details

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go directly in supporting the people living at Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre in Zimbabwe.

Click here to order tickets:

https://www.johnbradburne.com/product/a-celebration-of-servant-of-god-john-bradburne/