6 July 1535: St. Thomas More’s ‘dies natalis’

Posted on 6 July 2018 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today is the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas More, killed by the monstrous Henry VIII in 1535.

I direct the readership’s attention to a super article at Public Discourse by Matthew Mehan on the last and often misquoted words of St. Thomas:

“I die the king’s good servant, and God’s first.”

Mehan explores, among other things, More’s thoughts on conscience.   Conscience is a burning problem in the Church today.  Mistaken notions about conscience are causing great confusion about reception of the sacraments.  Couple confusion on conscience with the mania of setting aside truth for the sake of being “pastoral” (or “pas-tór-ee-al” as some say) and we wind up undermining the whole of the Faith.

Only what is true is truly pastoral.

May St. Thomas help us in these confusing times.

UPDATE:

Tonight… this great classic.

US HERE – UK HERE

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About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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4 Responses to 6 July 1535: St. Thomas More’s ‘dies natalis’

  1. Justalurkingfool says:
    6 July 2018 at 7:21 PM

    One of my heroes. He is among the reasons I remain faithful to our vows and that I remain Catholic.

    Karl

  2. surritter says:
    6 July 2018 at 10:07 PM

    Since Fr. Z mentioned “pas-tór-ee-al” as a mispronunciation, it reminds me of another one that I hear WAY too often… During the Confiteor, numerous people say “gree-vee-us” when it should simply be “gree-vus.”
    There — got one off my chest for today!

  3. catholiccomelately says:
    7 July 2018 at 12:17 AM

    St. Thomas, pray for us.

  4. Chuck4247 says:
    9 July 2018 at 8:47 AM

    If the day of his martyrdom is July 6th, why is his feast June 22nd?

    [In the newer calendar More is celebrated together with St. John Fisher, who was killed on 22 June.]