Sir Thomas More |
legacy of sir thomas more
Thomas More's legacy lives on through his descendants. Even though More's grandson never met him, he wrote in an account of More's life that
"[More's] execution [was] without exception one of the greatest blemishes in K. Henry VIII's reign." -Thomas More, grandson of Sir Thomas More Thomas More's great-grandson Cresacre More also wrote a book about him; both accounts exemplify More's lasting legacy, describing him as, "There was but one wit in England, and that was young Thomas More." Cresacre also stated in his book about Thomas More:
|
Thomas More is considered a great man for his efforts to conserve Catholicism in England. For example, Cardinal Raymond Burke has "[...] always found him a font of courage" and an example for living a good Christian life.
"St. Thomas More is really the example of how we need to - if we really want to do what is good and right - act according to Our Lord's way and not simply in a way that's pleasing to others." -Cardinal Raymond Burke Modern day supporters of More believed that he connected every aspect of his life to religion and God, truly deserving his place in history. |
"Sir Thomas More for all his honor and favor with his Prince, was nothing puffed up with pride, disdain or arrogance, but was of such a mild behavior, and excellent temper, that he could never be moved to any passion or anger."
More's legacy is evident by the multiple societies that operate in his honor. Amici Thomae Mori is operated by those who he inspired. This association "aim[s...], not only to diffuse the thought of Thomas More, but also to publish books on Thomas More and his time." With board member and subscribers from across the globe, they have succeeded in spreading More's message.
Another group he impacted is the Sir Thomas More Society, a non-profit organization run by lawyers. Their motto: "Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty." |
Both these societies show that More's legacy is not only through the Catholic church- one of them is focused on spreading his specific story, while the other is centered his judicial career. These societies continue to affect people even today, proving the universal nature of More's morality and persistence. Everyone, across time and around the globe, is able to relate to More's values and the struggle to uphold them, which is why his story is still circulated today.
|
Another example of More's legacy is the movie A Man for All Seasons, which depicts his adult life, trial, and execution. One website described it as:“the story of Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the king rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarriage."
|
More's canonization occurred in 1935 by Pope Pius XI. His feast day is June 22nd, and he is the patron saint of politicians, attorneys, and public servants. More's patronage is so important to modern lawyers that a prayer asking for his intercession has been developed:
A Lawyer's Prayer to St. Thomas More
"I pray, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, that I, with You, St. Thomas More, may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients’ tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul. Pray for me, and with me, that my family may find in me what Your family found in You: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain—their good servant, but God’s first. Amen." |