TODAY'S SAINT (Thomas Becket)

THOMAS BECKET

Bishop and Martyr

St. Thomas was born in London in 1117, eight years after the death of St. Anselm, whose successor he was destined to become. He embraced the ecclesiastical state and attached himself to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, by whose leave he went to Itaaly to study canon law at Bologna. On his return home he was ordained deacon and made archdeacon of Canterbury. In 1154, at the recommendation of Theobald, Henry II appointed him Lord Chancellor of England, a post which he filled with distinction.

On the death of Theobald, in 1160, the King forced upon him the dignity of Archbishop of Canterbury; but when St. Thomas refused to tolerate the existence of certain abusses, the King felt himself offended and finaly matters came to an open rupture between Archbishop and King. After much persecution, to which he was subject, Thomas secretly left the kingdom and went to Pope Alexander III who was then in France and who received him kindly. Later he was able to return to England, but he went with the presentiment that he was going to his death. He was received with the greatest demonstrations of joy by his people, but the end was near. Henry, in a fit of passion, let slip some unguarded words which, however they may have been intended, were construed so as to place weapons in the hands of the saint's assassins. The result was that St. Thomas was murded in his church, at the foot of the altar, in 1170. Within three years after his death, he was canonized as a Martyr.

PRAYER

God, You enabled St. Thomas, Your Martyr, to

Sacrifice his life courageously in the cause of

justice. Through his intercesssion, help us to give

up our lives for Christ in this world so that we

might find eternal life in heaven. Amen.

Feast: December 29