Born February 7, 1477, Thomas More followed the family profession by becoming a lawyer. It was not an easy decision. He had also seriously considered the priesthood, perhaps joining the Franciscans. But, in the end, he opted for law, saying he'd rather be good husband than a bad priest.
In 1501, Thomas was elected to Parliament and soon spoke out against the monetary demands of King Henry VII. His criticism earned his family house arrest, and he vowed not to put his family through such a situation again.
His intelligence and skill garnered the attention and friendship of the next king, Henry VIII. Henry often visited the lawyer's home, and Thomas was named chancellor.
But the friendship was strained when Henry wanted his marriage to Katherine of Aragon annulled so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.
In 1534, More refused to recognize the supremacy of Henry VIII on spiritual mattes. He was arrested and all his possessions confiscated. On July 6, 1535, Thomas More was beheaded.
Thomas More was beatified on December 29, 1886, and canonized on this day in 1935.
On October 31, 2000, Pope John Paul II named St. Thomas More the patron saint of lawyers.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw