Who is St. Thomas More?

St. Thomas More (1478-1535) was a distinguished English statesman, lawyer, philosopher, author, and humanist. His unwavering faith, integrity, and martyrdom have made him a revered figure in history.

Early Life and Education

Born in London in 1478, More studied at Oxford and later trained as a lawyer. He was deeply influenced by the humanist movement and maintained a close friendship with the renowned scholar Desiderius Erasmus.

Family and Vocation

A devoted husband and father, More raised four children and emphasized the importance of education and faith. While he initially considered joining the priesthood, he discerned a calling to public service and dedicated himself to governance and law.

Career and Public Service

Thomas ascended to prominence as a scholar, judge, and diplomat. In 1529, King Henry VIII appointed him Lord Chancellor of England, the highest legal office in the land. His tenure was marked by his intellectual brilliance and commitment to justice.

Faith and Defiance

Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, as she had not produced a male heir (their only surviving child was Mary, later Queen Mary I). When the Pope refused to grant the divorce, Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church, establishing the Church of England and declaring himself its Supreme Head. He compelled his subjects to embrace his new authority. Thomas, a staunch opponent of the Protestant Reformation, refused to recognize the king’s supremacy over the Church. His steadfast loyalty to Rome and Catholic doctrine placed him in direct conflict with the king.

Arrest and Trial

Due to his religious convictions, Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor in 1532. He was later imprisoned in the Tower of London for over a year. In 1535, he was tried and convicted of treason for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy. On July 6, 1535, Thomas was executed by beheading, choosing to remain faithful to the Catholic Church.

Spiritual Life and Legacy

Despite his power and influence, Thomas lived a devout life, devoted to prayer, fasting, and humility. He authored several works on theology and morality, including his most famous book, "Utopia", which critiques social injustice and imagines an ideal society.

In 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized Thomas More as a saint. His feast day is celebrated annually on June 22. In 2000, Pope John Paul II declared him the Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians, and Lawyers, honoring his courage and moral conviction.

Enduring Influence

Thomas More is remembered for his unwavering integrity and intellectual depth. His final words, spoken before his execution, resonate through history: "I die the King's good servant, but God's first." He is a martyr for the sanctity of marriage, papal primacy, and freedom of conscience. His patronage is invoked by those in public office, inspiring leaders to govern with moral clarity and ethical responsibility. He remains a model of conscience, a defender of faith, and a beacon of integrity in public life.

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A Prayer by an Imprisoned Sir Thomas More

The following is reported to have been written while St. Thomas was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Give me the grace, Good Lord, to set the world at naught. To set the mind firmly on You and not to hang upon the words of men’s mouths. To be content to be solitary. Not to long for worldly pleasures. Little by little utterly to cast off the world and rid my mind of all its business. Not to long to hear of earthly things, but that the hearing of worldly fancies may be displeasing to me. Gladly to be thinking of God, piteously to call for His help. To lean into the comfort of God. Busily to labor to love Him.

To know my own vileness and wretchedness. To humble myself under the mighty hand of God. To bewail my sins and, for the purging of them, patiently to suffer adversity. Gladly to bear my purgatory here. To be joyful in tribulations. To walk the narrow way that leads to life. To have the last thing in remembrance. To have ever before my eyes my death that is ever at hand. To make death no stranger to me. To foresee and consider the everlasting fire of Hell.

To pray for pardon before the judge comes. To have continually in mind the passion that Christ suffered for me. For His benefits, unceasingly to give Him thanks. To buy the time again that I have lost. To abstain from vain conversations. To shun foolish mirth and gladness. To cut off unnecessary recreations. Of worldly substance, friends, liberty, life and all, to set the loss at naught, for the winning of Christ.