St. Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket was born in 1118, and was educated at Merton Priory in Sussex, and at the University of Paris. While archdeacon of Canterbury, he was made chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry felt it advantageous to make his chancellor the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry's intrusions into Church affairs. In 1162 he was made archbishop, resigned his chancellorship and reformed his whole way of life!

Troubles began. Henry insisted upon usurping Church rights. At one time, supposing some conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to compromise. He momentarily approved the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the right of trial by a Church court and prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome. But Thomas rejected the Constitutions, fled to France for safety and remained in exile for seven years. When he returned to England, he suspected it would mean certain death. Because Thomas refused to remit censures he had placed upon bishops favored by the king, Henry cried out in a rage, Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest! Four knights, taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral on December 29, 1170.

Thomas Becket is a patron of secular clergy. His Feast Day is December 29.