Saint of the day for December 29: the story of St. Thomas Becket

Saint of the day for December 29nd
(21 December 1118 - 29 December 1170)

The story of St. Thomas Becket

A strong man who hesitated for a moment, but then learned that one cannot come to terms with evil, and thus became a strong churchman, a martyr and a saint: this was Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, assassinated in his cathedral on December 29, 1170.

His career had been a stormy one. While he was Archdeacon of Canterbury, he was appointed Chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry found it advantageous to appoint his chancellor as Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him a fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry's intrusions into Church affairs. However, in 1162 he was appointed archbishop, resigned from the chancellor and reformed his whole way of life!

The troubles have started. Henry insisted on usurping the rights of the Church. At one time, assuming some conciliatory action was possible, Thomas came close to compromise. He momentarily approved Clarendon's Constitutions, which would deny the clergy the right of trial by an ecclesiastical court and prevent them from making direct appeal to Rome. But Thomas refused the Constitutions, fled to France for safety and remained in exile for seven years. When he returned to England he suspected it would mean certain death. Since Thomas refused to remit the censures he had placed on the king's favored bishops, Henry cried out in anger: "Nobody will rid me of this annoying priest!" Four horsemen, taking his words as his wish, killed Thomas in Canterbury Cathedral.

Thomas Becket remains a holy hero up to our times.

Reflection

No one becomes a saint without fighting, especially with himself. Thomas knew he had to stand firm in defense of truth and law, even at the cost of his life. We must also take a stand in the face of pressures - against dishonesty, deceit, the destruction of life - at the cost of popularity, convenience, promotion and even greater goods.

St. Thomas Becket is the patron saint of:

Roman Catholic secular clergy