# The Feast of St. Thomas More and His Prayer
*2016-06-21*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of St. Thomas More, his patronage of lawyers and politicians, and shares the traditional prayer attributed to More.

## Celebrating St. Thomas More

Good afternoon, this is Bill Young. Today is the feast day of St. Thomas More, whose life was dramatized in the film *A Man for All Seasons*. More served as Chancellor under King Henry VIII, remaining loyal first to the Lord and the Church. That loyalty cost him his life; he was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1535 after refusing to endorse Henry’s divorce.

## A Visit to the Relics

I was honored to attend Mass at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Carlsbad on Sunday, where the relics of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher were displayed. The celebration reminded me of the courage required to stand for conscience in public life.

## More as Patron of Lawyers and Politicians

St. Thomas More is the patron saint of attorneys and, by extension, of politicians. With a major election looming, I find myself wrestling with the question of whom to trust. While I have reservations about both candidates, I recall Governor Jeb Bush’s integrity from the time I lived in Florida. Like More, he demonstrated humility and honesty in public service.

## The Prayer of St. Thomas More

Here is the traditional prayer attributed to St. Thomas More (1478–1535):

"Give me, O Lord, the grace to set my mind firmly on You, and not to be swayed by the words of men. Grant me contentment and solitude, that I may turn away from worldly pleasures and cast off the cares of this world. Free my mind from all earthly business and the vanity of worldly concerns.

Help me to think of God first, to call upon Him for aid, and to find comfort in His presence. Humble me under Your mighty hand, that my sins may be forgiven and purged.

Grant me the strength to bear suffering gladly, to walk the narrow path that leads to life, and to keep my eyes fixed on the eternal fire of hell, that I may pray for pardon before the final judgment.

May I ever contemplate the Passion of Christ, giving thanks for the time I have lost, and abstain from idle conversation and worldly distractions. Let me set aside all that hinders the pursuit of Christ, that I may win the prize of eternal life. Amen."

[Note: The original transcript contained several unintelligible phrases; the above reflects the commonly known version of the prayer.]

## Closing Prayer

May St. Thomas More intercede for us, especially for our political leaders, that they might act with conscience and charity. God bless you all.

*St. Thomas More reminds us that true loyalty belongs first to God, even when public life demands great sacrifice.*