The Archbishop of Canterbury, no, not Justin, Thomas Becket!, died today in 1170, killed by 4 knights in Canterbury Cathedral. I used to offer prayers at his shrine when I was very young.
Four knights who came from France demanded the absolution of the bishops.St. Thomas would not comply. They left for a space, but came back at Vesper time with a band of armed men. To their angry question, "Where is the traitor?" the saint boldly replied, "Here I am, no traitor, but archbishop andpriest of God." They tried to drag him from the church, but were unable, and in the end they slew him where he stood, scattering his brains on the pavement. His faithful companion, Edward Grim, who bore his cross, was wounded in the struggle.
A tremendous reaction of feeling followed this deed of blood. In an extraordinary brief space of time devotion to the martyred archbishop had spread all through Europe. The pope promulgated the bull of canonization, little more than two years after the martyrdom, 21 February, 1173. On 12 July, 1174, Henry II did public penance, and was scourged at the archbishop's tomb.
That was then, this is now.
Good luck, Church of England, and who knows, perhaps St. Thomas Becket will intercede for the soul of Mr. Kilminster.
LSP
Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could sort out the current Archbishop of Canterbury. Please?
ReplyDeleteIf I sort him out (wouldn't take four Frenchman to dispatch this one), would he become a saint?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it, but you might well do!
ReplyDeleteIf I were to drive the Muslims out of England would I become the patron saint in the same way that St. Patrick is in Ireland?
ReplyDelete