Saint of the day: June 22 San Tommaso Moro

SAINT THOMAS MOOR

London, 1478 - July 6, 1535

Tommaso Moro is the Italian name with which Thomas More is remembered (7 February 1478 - 6 July 1535), English lawyer, writer and politician. He is best remembered for his refusal to claim Henry VIII to become supreme head of the Church of England, a decision that ended his political career by leading him to capital punishment on charges of treason. He had three daughters and one son (remarrying following the death of his first wife). In 1935, he was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XI; since 1980 he is also commemorated in the calendar of saints of the Anglican church (July 6), together with his friend John Fisher, bishop of Rochester, beheaded fifteen days before Moro. In 2000 San Tommaso Moro was declared patron of statesmen and politicians by Pope John Paul II. (Avvenire)

PRAYERS

Glorious St. Thomas Moro, please accept my cause, confident that you will intercede for me before the throne of God with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it is in accordance with the will of God, you obtain the favor I seek for me, that is ……. Pray for us, o San Tommaso. Let us faithfully follow you on the road that leads to the narrow door of eternal life

O glorious St. Thomas Moro, patron of rulers, politicians, judges and lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principles in public and family life have led you on the path of martyrdom and of holiness. Intercede for our statesmen, politicians, judges and lawyers, so that they can be courageous and effective in defending and promoting the sacredness of human life, the foundation of all other human rights. We ask you for Christ our Lord. Amen.