Feast Day: June 22
Patrons of Lawyers, Politicians, and Religious Freedom
Short Biography:
On June 22, the Church honors two courageous English martyrs who gave their lives in defense of the Catholic faith during the 16th century: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher.
St. Thomas More was a brilliant lawyer, writer, and the Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. When the king sought to divorce his wife and declared himself head of the Church of England, Thomas refused to support the break from Rome. Despite pressure, he stood firm in his faith and loyalty to the Pope. For this, he was imprisoned and eventually beheaded in 1535. He died declaring himself “the King’s good servant, but God’s first.”
St. John Fisher, the Bishop of Rochester and a holy scholar, was the only English bishop who refused to sign the Act of Supremacy that denied the Pope’s authority. Like More, he was imprisoned and executed for his fidelity to the Church.
These two men are celebrated as heroes of conscience, models of integrity, and defenders of the truth even unto death.
Prayer:
Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher, pray for us to remain faithful to God’s truth, even in the face of opposition. Give us courage to defend our faith with wisdom, charity, and strength. Amen.
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