St. Thomas More

Month of Saints - Day 8

As we await election results tonight (no, I'm not watching), I thought that we need to pray for all politicians - winners and losers. So today's Saint is the patron of Politicians.

St. Thomas More was born in London in 1478.  His father was His father was a lawyer and judge who rose to prominence during the reign of Edward IV - his connections and wealth would help his son rise in station as a young man.  In 1490, Thomas became a household page to John Morton, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor of England. Archbishop Morton was a Renaissance man and inspired Thomas to pursue his own education. He studied at Oxford and became a lawyer.

Thomas also considered a vocation as a Carthusian Monk, but ended up choosing the secular life. He was elected to Parliament in 1504.  He was also a loving husband and doting father, insisting that his daughters receive the same education as his son.

From 1517 on, Henry VIII took a liking to Thomas More, and gave him posts of ever increasing responsibility. In 1521, he was knighted and made Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer. More became Lord Chancellor in 1529 and prosecuted those accused of heresy and worked tirelessly to defend the Catholic faith in England. When the King sought to annul his marriage to Catherine, More refused to sign a letter to the Pope requesting the annulment.

Thomas More refused to attend the coronation of Anne Bolyen, offending his former patron.  Henry had charges trumped up against him.  Through arrest, imprisonment, trial and execution, he maintained his defense of the faith and refusal to acknowledge the king as the head of the church.

His feast day is June 22.