Today's Saint (December 29): Thomas Becket

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Thomas Becket, archbishop and martyr, was born in London about 1118 A.D. Serving under Henry II as Chancellor of England, he became the trusted friend of the king. This led the king to push for his election as archbishop.

As archbishop, Becket became very devout and treated his office with severe reverence, much to the annoyance of the king.

Thomas understood that he was responsible for the souls of all his flock, including the king's. He thus admonished and reprimanded the king for immoral and abusive behaviour towards his subjects.

As a consequence, the king's hateful remarks toward Becket resulted in some of the king's soldiers murdering the archbishop in the sanctuary of Canterbury Cathedral. This caused a tremendous outcry in England and Becket was immediately recognized as a martyr and defender of the Faith.

Would that we all stand up to the "kings" of this world, when they do things contrary to the Faith.

The Day's Propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering
Their Blood Cries Out
Fox's Book of Martyrs
Reason Is Beguiled: On the Mystery of Martyrdom and of Total Self Gift
By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs of the Twentieth Century
The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

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