Now is an appropriate time to launch this website, in light of two recent anniversaries: first, the 482nd anniversary of St. Thomas More’s martyrdom, a landmark event during the early Counter-Reformation; and second, the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, a decree that allowed for the widespread celebration of the Tridentine Mass.
Though separated by more than 450 years, More’s death and Benedict’s pronouncement both demonstrate the central role that sacrifice plays in Catholicism. By giving his life in defense of papal supremacy and the Social Kingship of Christ, St. Thomas united himself with Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, a sacrifice that the Traditional Latin Mass re-presents in unbloody form, through its sublime Offertory and ancient Roman Canon. Like most Catholic martyrs, More knew only the Latin Mass (though it had not yet been codified in its Tridentine form), and Pope Benedict’s decree has renewed the sacredness of this venerable rite for current generations.
In the coming posts, we will explore the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More—a man who was God’s Servant first. For more information about this website, please see the About the Site and About Me pages.
St. Thomas More, pray for us!
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.