St. Thomas
Becket, Dec. 29: Made Chancellor of England in 1155, he was a close
friend of King Henry II and reportedly fond of luxury and the privileges of nobility.
However, when Henry influenced a cardinal to appoint him Archbishop of
Canterbury, Thomas resigned as chancellor and began fasting, keeping vigils,
and even wearing a hair shirt. Despite his reform, he nearly compromised with
the king’s efforts to seize some Church rights. Soon after returning from exile
in France, Thomas was martyred in Canterbury Cathedral for opposing the king.
St. Thomas, pray for us that we may never compromise with evil.
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