St. Thomas a' Becket, Our Chosen Patron Saint of Bexonism/OCC
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St. Thomas a’ Becket (aka St. Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London, Thomas Becket, Thomas Beckett)
b. 21 Dec 1118 or 1120 (depending on source);
d. 29 Dec 1170
Archbishop of Canterbury 1162-1170
It’s hard to do a brief history of this archbishop, a martyr revered by both the Catholic and Anglican churches. He stood up to a king (Henry II) and fought for the rights of the clergy at a time when kings took revenue from all landowners, including the churches and bishoprics.
He is one of the patron saints of London as well as the patron saint of foster parents (for fostering Henry II’s own son and showing the lad more love than the boy’s own father ever gave him) and the patron saint of secular clergy.
He was born into a fairly well off family and was given a good education. When his family fell on hard times he took work as a clerk and eventually through efficiency and diligence worked himself up to a place in the household of the then-Archbishop of Canterbury and later became Lord Chancellor to Henry II. He was elected Archbishop after the passing of his mentor.
Henry II hoped that due to his friendship with Becket that the new archbishop would continue to work for the cause of the king. Becket however stood up for the church and his battles with the king over the rights of the clergy ended up with Becket in exile until the pope intervened. The irritation continued and, due to a now infamous quote that has many variants including Shakespeare’s ‘Will nobody rid me of this meddlesome priest?!’ supporters of Henry II took it upon themselves to kill the archbishop. They struck him down as he prayed at Canterbury cathedral and within a few short years Canterbury became a place of pilgrimage. Henry II did penance in 1174 at Becket’s grave.
No thanks to Henry VIII trying to wipe out all Catholic legacies, all that remains today of Becket’s shrine is a placard with a candle. Becket is remembered however in literature, poetry, stained glass, liturgy and statuary. He has been honored and revered since 1173 and his legend and legacy continues to grow stronger.
We honor him whenever we stand up for our beliefs and for the causes of our church against the powers of the world.
b. 21 Dec 1118 or 1120 (depending on source);
d. 29 Dec 1170
Archbishop of Canterbury 1162-1170
It’s hard to do a brief history of this archbishop, a martyr revered by both the Catholic and Anglican churches. He stood up to a king (Henry II) and fought for the rights of the clergy at a time when kings took revenue from all landowners, including the churches and bishoprics.
He is one of the patron saints of London as well as the patron saint of foster parents (for fostering Henry II’s own son and showing the lad more love than the boy’s own father ever gave him) and the patron saint of secular clergy.
He was born into a fairly well off family and was given a good education. When his family fell on hard times he took work as a clerk and eventually through efficiency and diligence worked himself up to a place in the household of the then-Archbishop of Canterbury and later became Lord Chancellor to Henry II. He was elected Archbishop after the passing of his mentor.
Henry II hoped that due to his friendship with Becket that the new archbishop would continue to work for the cause of the king. Becket however stood up for the church and his battles with the king over the rights of the clergy ended up with Becket in exile until the pope intervened. The irritation continued and, due to a now infamous quote that has many variants including Shakespeare’s ‘Will nobody rid me of this meddlesome priest?!’ supporters of Henry II took it upon themselves to kill the archbishop. They struck him down as he prayed at Canterbury cathedral and within a few short years Canterbury became a place of pilgrimage. Henry II did penance in 1174 at Becket’s grave.
No thanks to Henry VIII trying to wipe out all Catholic legacies, all that remains today of Becket’s shrine is a placard with a candle. Becket is remembered however in literature, poetry, stained glass, liturgy and statuary. He has been honored and revered since 1173 and his legend and legacy continues to grow stronger.
We honor him whenever we stand up for our beliefs and for the causes of our church against the powers of the world.