| "Blessed who suffer persecution for religion, | |
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| Thomas More was declared a saint by the Pope in 1935. A wise man said: "This man, although there were no been martyred, | |
| LIFE | |
| This is one of the two great martyrs of the Church of England, when a king wanted to end impure Catholic religion and opposed them. The other is St. John Fisher (20 June). Thomas means "twin." And indeed it was a true twin in holiness and qualities with his fellow martyr, St. John Fisher. Thomas More was born in Cheapside, England in 1478. At 13 he went to work as a messenger in the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the latter to realize the great intelligence of the youth, sent him to study the school of the University of Oxford. His father was a judge, sent him only the money necessary for more necessary expenses, and this was very helpful, because as he himself said later: "Not having money to leave to have fun, I had to stay at home and in the library studying. "Which was of great benefit to their future. At 22 years and holds a doctorate in law, and brilliant teacher. It is a passionate reader all the free time devoted to reading good books. One of his companions of that time gave him this testimony: "It's a brilliant intellectual, and his great intellectual qualities adds a nice rapport." reached him questions about what the vocation for which God had intended. At first he went to live with the Carthusian monks (the monks who never speak or eat meat, and pray a lot during the day and night) but after 4 years he realized that he was not born for that heroic vocation. Franciscan also tried to leave, but it turned out that was not his way. Then he decided to opt for the vocation of marriage. He married, had four children and was an excellent husband and father cariñosÃsimo. His vocation was a little further: his vocation was to act in the government and write books. for their children, to the poor and few wanted to listen to him, Thomas was always an excellent and sympathetic friend. Used to go personally to visit the neighborhoods of the poor to meet your needs and help better. Often invited to his table to very poor people, and almost never invited to lunch at the rich. At the house came many visits of intellectuals who were to talk to him about issues important to those moments and discuss the latest books that were published. His wife was astonished to see him always in a good mood, no matter what happened. It was difficult to find another more pleasant conversation. Thomas More wrote many books. Many of them against the Protestants, but the most famous is called Utopia. This is a word that means "What does not exist" (U = no. Topos: place. What does not occur). In this book describes a nation that does not exist but should exist. In its statement strongly attacking the injustices committed by the rich and top government with the poor and disenfranchised and will describe how a nation should be ideal. This work made him well known throughout Europe. young lawyer Thomas More was accepted as a teacher of one of the most prestigious London schools. Then he was elected as secretary of the mayor of the capital. In 1529 he was appointed Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. But this high office is no different in its simplicity. Continued to attend Mass every day, often confessing and taking communion. Treatable and kind to everyone. Someone even said: "It seems that he had been elected Chancellor, only to be more pro-poor and homeless." Another added: "The king could not find a better director than this." But Thomas, who knew what it was Henry VIII, declared with a fine humor: "The king is so that if you offer a good home for my head, I the cut sent immediately. " already had two years as Chancellor when it happened in England a terrible act against the Catholic religion. The shameless King Henry VIII divorced his legitimate wife and went to live with mistress Anne Boleyn. And as the Pope did not accept this divorce, the king declared Supreme Head of the religion of the nation and said the persecution of anyone who does not accept divorce or not to accept him as a replacement the Pope in Rome. Many Catholics would have to die to oppose this. Thomas More did not accept any of the errors terribilis evil king: neither divorce nor to try to replace the Supreme Pontiff. Then it was removed from his high office, confiscated their property and the king sent him locked up as a prisoner of the terrible Tower of London. St. Thomas and St. John Fisher were the two largest of all senior officials in the capital refused to accept as great slanders of the monarch. And both were taken to the fateful tower. Thomas was imprisoned there for 15 months. are truly beautiful letters from prison he wrote this great sage to his daughter Margaret who was very devastated by the imprisonment of his father. Tells them: "This jail I'm paying God for the sins I committed in my life. The sufferings of this prison, I probably will reduce the penalties that await me in purgatory. Remember, my child, that nothing will happen if God does not allow to happen to me. And whatever God allows for good for those who love him. And what the good Lord allows to happen to us is best, but we do not understand, nor do we think so. " The day Margaret came to visit last After his father, saw the two leave for the site of the martyrdom of four Carthusian monks who would not accept the mistakes of Henry VIII. Margaret Thomas said: "Look how happy go to offer their lives for Christ. I wish also to me God grant me the courage to give my life for his holy religion." Thomas was called a last council of war. He was asked to accept what the king commanded, and he replied: "I have to obey what my conscience tells me, and think about the salvation of my soul. This is much more important than anything the world can offer. I do not accept those mistakes the king. "He then passed sentence of death. The said goodbye to her son and daughter and was again imprisoned in the Tower of London. At dawn of July 6, 1535 informed him that it would take the place of martyrdom, he was put on her best dress. In a good mood as always told to leave the cold runner, "Please, my coat, because I lay down my life, but cold if I want to achieve. "reaching the place where they would kill him slowly recited Psalm 51:" Mercy Lord for your kindness. "He promised that the king and beg for his other pursuers, and publicly declared that he died for being faithful to the Holy Catholic, Apostolic and Roman. Then next to an ax cut off his head. | |
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