• June 22nd - Saint Thomas More, Martyr

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Fri Jun 21 09:25:05 2019
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    June 22nd - Saint Thomas More, Martyr

    Saint Thomas More was born in London, the son of a judge. At a young
    age, Thomas was placed in the home of Cardinal Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, who, noting the boy's cheerful disposition and scholast=
    ic
    aptitude, arranged for him to attend Oxford. A serious student, and
    with few financial means, Thomas applied himself and avoided "vain or
    hurtful amusements" to the detriment of his studies. He quickly
    demonstrated considerable academic skills, mastering both Greek and
    Latin, becoming expert in French, mathematics, and history, and
    learning to play both the flute and viola. His gifts quickly attracted attention, and he was admitted to law school, becoming a barrister
    several years later.

    His friend and pupil, Erasmus, described him in a letter: =E2=80=9CHe seems born and framed for friendship, and is a most faithful and enduring
    friend. He is easy of access to all; but if he chances to get familiar
    with one whose vices admit no correction, he manages to loosen and let
    go the intimacy rather than to break it off suddenly. When he finds
    any sincere and according to his heart, he so delights in their
    society and conversation as to place in it the principal charm of
    life=E2=80=A6 Though he is rather too negligent of his own interests, no on=
    e
    is more diligent in those of his friends. In a word, if you want a
    perfect model of friendship, you will find it in no one better than in
    More. In society he is so polite, so sweet-mannered, that no one is of
    so melancholy a disposition as not to be cheered by him, and there is
    no misfortune that he does not alleviate. Since his boyhood he has so
    delighted in merriment, that it seems to be part of his nature; yet he
    does not carry it to buffoonery, nor did he ever like biting pleasantries.=E2=80=9D

    It quickly became clear that Thomas excelled at law, but it was not
    where his primary interests lay. He was deeply drawn to the idea of
    the religious life, spending considerable time in prayer and
    contemplation, delivering lectures on the writings of Saint Augustine,
    and engaging in penance and mortification similar to those enacted by
    local monks. For example, Thomas wore a hair shirt each day and
    fasted. He eventually moved into the monastery, but could not ignore
    the injustices of English society, and eventually left to enter into a
    career in politics. He was married shortly thereafter.

    Erasmus wrote: =E2=80=9CMeanwhile he applied his whole mind to exercises of piety, looking to and pondering on the priesthood in vigils, fasts and
    prayers and similar austerities. In which matter he proved himself far
    more prudent than most candidates who thrust themselves rashly into
    that arduous profession without any previous trial of their powers.
    The one thing that prevented him from giving himself to that kind of
    life was that he could not shake off the desire of the married state.
    He chose, therefore, to be a chaste husband rather than an impure priest.=E2=80=9D

    Thomas entered Parliament, and tirelessly defended the rights of the
    poor, much to the annoyance of King Henry VII. In revenge, the King
    imprisoned Saint Thomas' father and would not release him until Tho=
    mas
    agreed to withdraw from public life. After the death of the King in
    1509, Thomas became active once more. In 1510, he was appointed one of
    the two undersheriffs of London. In this capacity, he gained a
    reputation for being impartial, and a patron to the poor.

    More's political career became increasingly at odds with King Henry
    VIII, who, himself was looking to break from the Catholic Church so
    that he might remarry. Despite his opposition to the plans of the king
    to divorce, he was elected Lord Chancellor.

    While his work in the law courts was exemplary, following his vocal
    disapproval of the king's plans, his career quickly came to a halt.=
    He
    resigned in 1532, citing ill health. After failing to attend the
    coronation of the king's new wife, Anne Boleyn, he was one of the
    people accused of complicity with Elizabeth Barton, the nun of Kent
    who opposed Henry's break with Rome. Subsequently, Thomas refused to acknowledge the king as the head of the Church of England, defending
    the papacy. He was committed to the Tower of London, tried in a
    one-sided trial, and found guilty of treason.

    Upon sentencing=E2=80=94death by beheading=E2=80=94the constable of the Tow=
    er of
    London visited More, respecting him, and seeking his forgiveness. More
    spoke to him, saying, =E2=80=9CGood Master Kingston, trouble not yourself b=
    ut
    be of good cheer; for I will pray for you, and my good Lady your wife,
    that we may meet in heaven together, where we shall be merry forever
    and ever." His last words, prior to the axe falling were: "I die - the
    King's good servant but God's first."

    Saint Thomas' body was buried the Church of Saint Peter. His parboi=
    led
    head was placed on display on the Tower Bridge for one month prior to
    the local faithful rescuing it. During his lifetime, Saint Thomas
    wrote extensively=E2=80=94poems, fiction, scholarly works, legal reviews, translations, contemplations of scripture, and prayers.
    --by Jacob


    Saint Quote:
    I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink
    because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon
    Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his
    holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.
    --Saint Thomas More

    Bible Quote:
    Thus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see.=C2 And ask for the
    old paths, which is the good way, and walk ye in it, and you shall
    find refreshment for your souls.=C2 (Jeremias 6:16)


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    The "Bookmark" prayer of St. Theresa:

    Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee. All things
    =C2 are passing; God only is changeless. Patience gains all things.
    =C2 Who hath God wanteth nothing--Alone God sufficeth.


    A short invocation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

    Most sweet Heart of Jesus, grant that peace, the fruit of justice and
    charity, may reign throughout the world.=C2 Amen.

    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)