To warn, to lead, to bring them back

 

   A martyr, a saint, is always made by

the design of God, for His love of men,

to warn them and to lead them ,

to bring them back to His ways.”

~ St. Thomas Becket, speaking Christmas morning,
four days before he was martyred

 

 

St. Thomas Becket

Archbishop and Martyr*

England (1118-1170)

FEAST DAY - December 29

 

 

*On December 29th, 1170, four knights from the court of King Henry II burst into Canterbury Cathedral as the Archbishop was on his way to Vespers. Just inside

the cloister door, they murdered Thomas Becket, whose defense of the rights

of the Church had angered the King.

His last words were: 'I accept death for the name of Jesus and for the Church.'

The murder shocked the conscience of all Europe; miracles were announced immediately; the archbishop was canonized as a martyr by Alexander III in 1173;

the king did public penance at his tomb, and much of what St Thomas had

worked for all his life was accomplished by his death.

 

 

 

 

 "Many are needed to plant and water what has been planted

now that the faith has spread so far and there are so many people...

No matter who plants or waters, God gives no harvest unless

what is planted is the faith of Peter and unless he agrees to his teachings."

 

St Thomas Becket

 

 

Ste Thomas Becket, ora pro nobis!