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THOMAS MORE
Sir Thomas More (1478–1535), known by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was a famous English philosopher, writer, and statesman. He served as a close counselor to Henry VIII of England and was later appointed Lord Chancellor. He is remembered by the Catholic Church for his opposition to the Protestant Reformation, especially the work of Martin Luther and William Tyndale. In 1886, More was beatified by the Catholic Church and in 1935 he was canonized.
In 1535, More was imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to condone Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn after Henry divorced his first wife. As a result, in 1535, he was tried for treason and executed by beheading. More’s virtue followed him even to death. He is reported to have declared while on the scaffold that he died “the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” His prayer for a “good death” reflects his determined strong spirituality. He was one of the most excellent of men. A play and movie about his life—A Man for All Seasons—is well worth the time.
Good Lord,
Give me the grace so to spend my life,
That when the day of my death shall come,
Though I may feel pain in my body,
I may feel comfort in soul;
And with faithful hope in thy mercy,
In due love towards thee
And charity towards the world,
I may, through thy grace,
Part hence into thy glory.