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Saint Thomas Becket on God’s Enemies

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Saint Thomas Becket was a 12th century English archbishop and martyr who chose Christ and Christ's Church over the King. This courageous act of fidelity and deep seed devotion would ultimately lead to his martyrdom. Facing the enemies of the Church and forces opposed to God, Becket remained faithful. Do you not know that the largest trees, which have required years to grow, are cut down in one hour? It is foolish to look for their fruits and yet to be unprepared for their fall. Let it be your consolation, then, that God's enemies, however honorable and exalted they may have been, shall nevertheless fade away like the smoke. — St. Thomas Becket ________________________________________ Prayer for St. Thomas Becket's Intercession Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Thomas Becket the courage to give up his life for the sake of your holy Church, grant, through his intercession, that, in renouncing our life for Christ in this world, we may see God face to fac

Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

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Optional Memorial - December 29th  There was a time in England when being a friend of the king could easily lead to martyrdom. Such was the case of Saint Thomas Becket, whose 12th-century conflict with Henry II would result in his murder at the hand of the king’s men in the Cathedral at Canterbury. In so doing Becket went from being "a patron of play-actors and a follower of hounds" to become an heroic "shepherd of souls." Born in 1118, Thomas was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury in 1154, and became Lord Chancellor of England the following year. When the Archbishop of Canterbury died in 1162, King Henry II saw an opportunity to solidify the crown’s control of the Church, and made his good friend Thomas the next archbishop. But Thomas, who had accepted the position reluctantly, turned out to be more loyal to his Church than to his king. After thwarting the king once too often, Henry reportedly said, "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?&qu

Saint Thomas Becket on Salvation | From a Letter He Wrote Days Before His Martyrdom

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Everyone knows that the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given to Peter. Upon his faith and teaching the whole fabric of the Church will continue to be built until we all reach full maturity in Christ and attain to unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. ... Remember then how our fathers worked out their salvation; remember the sufferings through which the Church has grown, and the storms the ship of Peter has weathered because it has Christ on board. Remember how the crown was attained by those whose sufferings gave new radiance to their faith. The whole company of saints bears witness to the unfailing truth that without real effort no one wins the crown . A letter by St. Thomas Becket, written days before his martyrdom.

Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr

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December 29th, is the optional memorial of Saint Thomas Becket (1119-1170), the 12th century English statesman, Archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. A close associate of King Henry II, in the year 1155, he was appointed Chancellor of England. Seven years later, Becket was named Archbishop of Canterbury, and his relationship with the monarchy deteriorated. Eventually, his refusal to submit to Henry’s jurisdiction resulted in Becket's six-year exile in France. Not long after his return to England, Thomas was murdered by four assassins inside Canterbury Cathedral, making him a martyr. Miracles occurred soon after his martyrdom, and Canterbury became a popular pilgrimage destination in Europe. He is venerated by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion as a saint and martyr. Thomas Becket was born in London to Norman parents Gilbert and Matilda Beket. The Icelandic Saga provides this description of him as a young man: “To look upon he was slim of growth and pale of hue,

Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket

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Today, the fifth day in the octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of St. Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr. He was born December 21, c. 1119 in London, the son of Gilbert and Matilda Becket. Becket was sent as a student to Merton Priory in England and later attended a grammar school in London, perhaps the one at St Paul's Cathedral. Later, he spent a year studying in Paris. Becket was appointed  Lord Chancellor to King Henry II in January 1155. Seven years later, in 1162 he was ordained Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket absorbed himself in the duties of his new office, defending the rights of the Church against the Monarchy. Henry and Becket clashed frequently as the new archbishop sought to recover the Church's jurisdiction. This included disagreements with the king, over whether secular courts could levy ecclesiastical penalties on English clergymen. Ultimately, King Henry exiled Becket to France for six years. Upon his return, Becket endured many