Celebrating St. Thomas More on July 6.
St. Thomas More, whose feast is celebrated on June 22nd, was a 16th-century English lawyer, author, and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII. He is most famously remembered for his refusal to endorse the king’s divorce and the Act of Supremacy, which declared the king head of the Church in England. More’s steadfastness led to his imprisonment in the Tower of London and ultimately his martyrdom by beheading.
What sets Thomas More apart is not just his courage, but his integration of faith, intellect, and public service. He was deeply engaged in the legal and political life of his time, yet never at the expense of his conscience. He once said, “I am the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” This line epitomizes the tension—and the harmony—that Catholic professionals often must live in: serving the world with excellence while maintaining ultimate loyalty to God.
In the modern workplace, the pressure to compromise values for success or security can be intense. More shows us that integrity isn’t just idealism—it’s fidelity to truth, no matter the cost. His commitment to prayer, study, family, and service makes him a model for professionals seeking to live authentically in complex environments.
May St. Thomas More intercede for us, that we too may be courageous witnesses to truth, even when it’s costly—anchored not in defiance, but in quiet, joyful confidence in Christ.