St. Thomas More: The King's Good Servant—

But God's First!

By Jim Martorana

Editor's Note: St Thomas More is the patron saint of this site. Tomorrow, June 22, is his feast day. In honor of this occasion, we are pleased to welcome guest columnist, Jim Martorana.

Thomas More was born in London in 1478. He studied theology and the classics then entered Oxford to study the law. He was both a scholar and a government official. He wrote books on history and philosophy. He married at the age of 27 and had three daughters and a son. He provided for their education and even insisted on a rigorous education for his daughters which was unusual for his time

His writing and career as a lawyer caught the eye of King Henry VII who gave him various government positions. In 1529, Henry made him Lord Chancellor of England which made Thomas second in power only to the King himself. He was at the peak of his career politically, intellectually and in his happy family life. But trouble was brewing.

King Henry had defied the Pope. He wanted to remarry after putting aside his wife. He declared himself head of the Church of England and demanded that all government officials and even bishops swear the Oath of Supremacy. This oath affirmed Henry as head of the Church and defied the Pope. Henry had thus cut himself off from the Catholic Church. Thomas refused to deny his faith. He refused to sign. His good friend, Bishop John Fisher, had also refused to sign and was hanged and drawn and quartered. Bishop Fisher was the only Bishop in England to stay faithful to Holy Mother the Church.

Thomas was arrested and thrown in the Tower of London. His daughter Margaret visited him in prison and begged him to recant and sign the Oath. He lovingly told her it was more important for them all to be reunited in heaven than live a few more years here. He was charged and convicted of treason. His sentence was to be hung and drawn and quartered. King Henry in an act of mercy because of Sir Thomas More’s long service to the crown, commuted the sentence to death by beheading.

The execution was scheduled for July 6, 1535. As he climbed the scaffold, he told the spectators: “I am the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” He was beheaded and his head was displayed on London Bridge.

St. Thomas More put his relationship with God ahead of all. He knew that his salvation was more important than anything in this life—even his own family. He is now the patron of lawyers and statesmen. On his feast day, which he shares with his friend St John Fisher, June 22, let us pray that our modern statesmen will have his fortitude to follow God’s will no matter the cost.

For more information on the life of St John Fisher, please see our previous article:
Portrait in Courage: Bishop John Fisher.

Reprinted with permission from

http://www.fightingirishthomas.org/