How Other World Leader's Saw Thomas More...

When Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire learned of the murder of Sir Thomas More by King Henry VIII, he stated:

"If I had been master of such a servant, of whose doing I myself have had many years no small experience, I would rather have lost the best city in my dominions than lose such a worthy councilor."

Litany of Saint Thomas More

I was given by a priest friend this beautiful prayer and I was reminded of the what I had been taught since I was a child: action is pointless without prayer. Pray first and then act. Thomas More was a man of prayer -- it was something anyone who knew him understood. I suspect it was something that scared his enemies beyond having to deal with his brilliant intellect, charm and wit.

As Thomas More is the inspiration of this blog, I invite you to pray this litany with me. We must do all we can to gird ourselves for the challenges and political battles ahead of us in order to uphold and preserve our culture and our great nation:

V. Lord have mercy
R. Lord have mercy

V. Christ have mercy
R. Christ have mercy

V. Lord have mercy
R. Lord have mercy

V. Christ hear us
R. Christ, graciously hear us

V. St. Thomas More, Saint and Martyr. R. Pray for us (Repeat after each invocation).
St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers
St. Thomas More, patron of Justices, Judges and Magistrates
St. Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life
St. Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life
St. Thomas More, Servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ
St. Thomas More, Teacher of his Children in the Catholic Faith
St. Thomas More, Defender of the Weak and the Poor
St. Thomas More, Promoter of Human Life and Dignity

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
R. Spare us O LordV. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
R. Graciously hear us O Lord
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
R. Have mercy on us

Let us pray:
O glorious St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life - the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

G.K. Chesterton Understood...

"Thomas More is more important at this moment than at any moment since his death, even perhaps the great moment of his dying; but he is not quite so important as he will be in about a hundred years." - G.K. Chesterton, 1929

And so it begins...

Chesterton, as usual, was able to encapsulate an issue -- or a man -- as few writers have ever been able to do. But perhaps he best understood our times and times to come along with what would be required of men and women of faith who choose to step into the public arena and make a difference, to defend a culture that celebrates life over a dominant one that worships death, ugliness and falsehoods. St. Thomas More, patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, guide us and protect us as we begin this dialogue and discussion.