Saint Thomas More
Stored in Cargo: Saint Thomas More
| Saint Thomas More | |
| Feast Day | June 22 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Lawyers, statesmen, adopted children, difficult marriages |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Death Place | London, England |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (beheading) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of St. Peter ad Vincula, London, England |
Saint Thomas More (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535) was an English lawyer, statesman, and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church, renowned for his unwavering commitment to conscience and faith. Born in London, More rose to prominence as a scholar, author, and Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII. His refusal to swear the Oath of Supremacy, which recognized Henry as head of the Church of England, led to his execution for treason. A prolific writer, his *Utopia* remains a cornerstone of political philosophy. Canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1935, More is venerated as a symbol of integrity and moral courage.[1]
More’s legacy endures as the patron saint of lawyers, statesmen, and those facing difficult marriages, with his feast day celebrated on 22 June in the Latin Rite. His life, marked by wit, devotion, and sacrifice, inspired numerous parishes and institutions worldwide. Venerated also in the Anglican Communion, his relics at the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula in London draw pilgrims, and his example continues to resonate in legal and ethical debates.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Thomas More was born on 7 February 1478 in London, England, to John More, a prominent lawyer and later judge, and Agnes Graunger.[1] The More family lived in Milk Street, a bustling commercial area, immersing Thomas in London’s intellectual and civic life. Raised in a devout Catholic household, he was exposed to the city’s vibrant parishes and religious traditions, shaping his early faith.
His father’s legal career provided a comfortable upbringing and access to elite education. London’s proximity to royal courts and ecclesiastical centers foreshadowed More’s future roles in law and governance.[3]
Early Life
More’s education began at St. Anthony’s School in London, followed by service as a page in the household of John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury.[4] At 14, he studied at Oxford University, excelling in Latin, Greek, and philosophy. His father recalled him to London to study law at Lincoln’s Inn, where he was called to the bar in 1501.
Contemplating a religious vocation, More lived briefly with the Carthusian monks, practicing asceticism. Ultimately, he chose a lay life, marrying Jane Colt in 1505 and balancing family, legal practice, and scholarship. His early writings, including translations of Lucian, showcased his humanist ideals.[2]
Occupation
More was a distinguished lawyer and statesman. After building a successful legal practice in London, he served as a Member of Parliament and held judicial roles, including Under-Sheriff of London.[3] Appointed Lord Chancellor in 1529, he was King Henry VIII’s chief advisor, managing legal and diplomatic affairs with integrity.
His scholarly pursuits produced *Utopia* (1516), a seminal work envisioning an ideal society. More’s commitment to justice and education made him a leading humanist, though his opposition to Henry’s religious policies defined his legacy.[5]
Vocation
More’s religious vocation was expressed as a lay Catholic, deeply committed to the Roman Catholic Church. While he considered monastic life, he embraced marriage and public service, integrating faith into his professional roles.[1] As Lord Chancellor, he defended Catholic doctrine against Protestant reforms, writing treatises against heresy and supporting the Diocese of London.
His refusal to endorse Henry VIII’s annulment and the Act of Supremacy, which declared the king head of the Church, led to his arrest in 1534. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, More remained steadfast, viewing his suffering as a path to sanctity. His martyrdom cemented his spiritual legacy.[2]
Death
More met his end by martyrdom on 6 July 1535 in London, England, beheaded for treason after refusing to swear the Oath of Supremacy.[1] Convicted in a rigged trial, he declared his loyalty to the king but upheld the Pope’s authority over the Church. He faced execution with composure, famously joking on the scaffold.
His body was buried in the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London, with his head briefly displayed on London Bridge. His martyrdom inspired immediate veneration, and his relics remain a pilgrimage site.[3]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: London, England
Death location: London, England
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Thomas More as a Servant of God began shortly after his death in 1535, driven by his reputation as a martyr in the Diocese of London.[3] Informal inquiries, typical of the 16th century, gathered testimonies from contemporaries, including clergy and laity, about his fidelity to the Church and courageous death. His writings and trial records supported the cause.
Devotion spread rapidly among English Catholics, despite persecution under Henry VIII. The cause progressed slowly due to political tensions, gaining traction in the 19th century with renewed Catholic emancipation.[1]
Venerable
More was not formally declared Venerable, as this stage was not consistently applied in earlier canonization processes. His martyrdom and widespread veneration served as equivalent recognition of heroic virtue.[2] By the 19th century, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviewed his life, affirming his sacrifice and fidelity, paving the way for beatification.
Accounts by contemporaries, such as William Roper, his son-in-law, and his own prison letters, underscored his sanctity. This informal acknowledgment aligned with practices for martyrs of the Reformation era.[5]
Beatification
More was beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII in Rome, Papal States, as a martyr.[1] No miracle was required, as martyrdom itself warranted beatification. His steadfast refusal to compromise his faith, even at the cost of his life, was deemed sufficient by the Vatican.
The beatification allowed More to be called “Blessed” and venerated in England and among Catholics globally. The ceremony coincided with the beatification of other English martyrs, reflecting a revival of Catholic identity.[2]
Canonization
Canonized on 19 May 1935 by Pope Pius XI in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, More’s canonization recognized his martyrdom.[1] No additional miracle was required, as his death for the faith fulfilled canonization criteria for martyrs. The ceremony, marking the 400th anniversary of his execution, affirmed his universal veneration.
The canonization, attended by thousands, established his feast day as 22 June, shared with Saint John Fisher. More’s recognition strengthened Catholic devotion, particularly among lawyers and statesmen.[5]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required for More’s beatification, as his martyrdom in 1535 qualified him under Church rules for martyrs.[1] His execution for refusing the Oath of Supremacy, upheld as a defense of papal authority, was deemed a heroic act of faith. Testimonies from his trial and prison letters confirmed his sanctity.
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints focused on his moral courage and fidelity. This martyrdom-based beatification in 1886 aligned with the process for Reformation-era martyrs.[2]
Miracle for canonization
Similarly, no miracle was required for More’s canonization in 1935, as his status as a martyr sufficed.[1] The Vatican reaffirmed his sacrifice, drawing on historical accounts of his trial and execution. His steadfastness, even under pressure from Henry VIII, was central to the canonization decision.
The absence of miracles reflects the Church’s practice for martyrs, prioritizing their ultimate witness to faith. More’s canonization reinforced his legacy as a defender of conscience.[3]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers, statesmen, adopted children, and those in difficult marriages, reflecting his legal career, political service, and family devotion.[5] His patronage extends to those seeking moral integrity in public life, inspiring Catholic professionals.
Feast day
More’s feast day is 22 June, shared with Saint John Fisher, celebrated in the Latin Rite.[6] Observances include Masses and events in London and Catholic communities worldwide, honoring his martyrdom.
Veneration
Saint Thomas More is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to his relics in the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula, London.[2] Lawyers and statesmen seek his intercession for wisdom and courage. His head, preserved separately, is venerated in Canterbury, and his relics draw pilgrims on his feast day.
Depicted in art with a book, axe, or chancellor’s chain, More appears in churches and legal institutions. His life, portrayed in works like *A Man for All Seasons*, inspires ethical discourse, and his shrine influences Catholic culture in England.[3] He is also honored in the Anglican Communion as a Reformation martyr.[4]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Saint Thomas More". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-more/. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "St. Thomas More". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=324. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "St. Thomas More". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14689c.htm. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Thomas More". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-More. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Saint Thomas More". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-thomas-more/. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Thomas More". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-thomas-more-496. Retrieved 17 May 2025.