OUR PATRON SAINT

St. Thomas More was a soldier of the Catholic Faith. Not only did he defy cultural tides, More stood firmly for his convictions, knowing his life was at risk.

Sir Thomas More was born in 1477 to a Catholic family in London. A man of letters, he wrote numerous works of poetry, both Latin and English. He also wrote academic prose, his most famous of which is The Utopia. As a lawyer and layman, he constantly reminded the clergy of their duty to God over King Henry VIII. However, More had a connection with the king that eventually earned him the title of Chancellor, under which he protected the English Church from heresy.

When Henry VIII abandoned the Church for its refusal to allow him a divorce from his wife, Catherine of Aragon, More resigned from his post. Ever faithful to the Church, he refused to comply with the king’s orders. The king saw this resignation as an act of treason, and ordered More’s execution.

On July 6, 1535, St. Thomas More was beheaded on Tower Hill. However, this fierce execution did not have the effect for which the King had hoped. By his death, the bold More defied the rule of King Henry and took a stand against the corrupt nature of his culture.

– From For All Seasons, student literary magazine STMA Raleigh, NC