St. Thomas More's Month

[Pearl of Tyburn]

Hello, Campionites!

It's June, the month of the Feast of St. Thomas More, the proto-martyr of English Catholicism under attack. My family usually watches A Man For All Seasons this month to commemorate his sacrifice. I'm hoping I can get as many of the Campionites as possible to put up something in his honor on the group forum during this month. So if you come across this, please put up something, a prayer, a personal reflection, or whatever. I'm sure it would St. Thomas very happy to know that we are trying to follow in his footsteps

God Bless,
Pearl

[Edmundus1581]

"A Man For All Seasons" is one of my top three favourite movies, and influenced me profoundly, on both religion and also understanding English justice. ("the people of England may judge by their wits, but this court must judge by the law" )

Although I occasionally pray to St Thomas More, I can't say that I have a strong devotion to him. So, I'll take up your suggestion and make this June a special time of seeking his intercession - especially for the Church and people of England.

He is also special to me as the first Catholic suburban parish I attended after converting was St Thomas More. When I was dating my ex-wife we attended there as well. I sometimes seek Thomas's intercession for my family, which didn't fulfill the promise it seemed to have back when we were in St Thomas More's parish.

His feast day is 22 June.

[Edmundus1581]

Happy Feast of St Thomas More, everyone!

Praying for blessings on the Campionites and the people and church in England this day.



(It's 22 June here in Australia now)

[Edmundus1581]

I went to Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide and they celebrated the Feast Of Ss John Fisher and Thomas More.

It is an optional memoria in Australia, so I was very happy to see it celebrated.

[Pearl of Tyburn]

A Blessed Feast of St. Thomas More and Bishop Fisher to ye all!

Blessed Martyrs of the Faith, pray for us and for England. Ask God to grant us the grace to stand firm against adversity and never give in under the pressure of the world. Give us wit and warmth and a refusal to surrender. Show us how to be resigned as well as resistant. We ask these things through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

That's cool that were able to go to mass for the feast, Edmundus. Tell me, is there much devotion to the English martyrs in your section of Australia? Are there many people of British ancestry? Are you of British ancestry?

God Bless,
Pearl

[Edmundus1581]

Originally Posted by Pearl of Tyburn

A Blessed Feast of St. Thomas More and Bishop Fisher to ye all!

Thankyou! And to you also!

Originally Posted by Pearl of Tyburn

Blessed Martyrs of the Faith, pray for us and for England. Ask God to grant us the grace to stand firm against adversity and never give in under the pressure of the world. Give us wit and warmth and a refusal to surrender. Show us how to be resigned as well as resistant. We ask these things through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Amen!

Originally Posted by Pearl of Tyburn

That's cool that were able to go to mass for the feast, Edmundus. Tell me, is there much devotion to the English martyrs in your section of Australia? Are there many people of British ancestry? Are you of British ancestry?

Most Australians are of British ancestry, but they are from the Protestant England. In past years there was some anti-Catholic prejudice, of the view that Catholics were disloyal and not "real Christians" but that has mostly gone now. In my own lifetime I have seen religion almost disappear in Australia, which is sad. I think I'd rather see a healthy Protestantism, with some anti-Catholicism, than no religion at all, which is what we now have.

The Catholicism in Australia is mostly from Irish descent, so they have less knowledge or interest in English martyrs than those of English descent, but there is some interest, as seen by the Cathedral celebrating the feast yesterday. I heard that my parish celebrated it also. The older generation know "A Man for all Seasons", but I think the younger ones mostly don't. The movie was popular with non-Catholics also.

Thanks again for reminding us that this feast was coming up. I was able to say a few extra prayers to Thomas More in the week before.

~ Edmundus

[GWright]

St Thomas More was a brave and committed man, a martyr, someone I have long admired.

Typically, in Britain he is often disparaged, most recently in Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, a revisionist novel. I think she revealed her true motivations though with her recent slur against Catholics generally, when promoting her sequel

I thought this an interesting article on him (also published elsewhere):

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=324

Thanks for reminding us of his feast Pearl, youve certainly inspired me to do a bit of reading!

[Edmundus1581]

Originally Posted by GWright

...
Thanks for reminding us of his feast Pearl, youve certainly inspired me to do a bit of reading!

Yes, indeed. I've kept up the devotions to Ss John Fisher & Thomas More through June