June 22 | Saints Thomas More and John Fisher

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine the year is 1535. You are locked inside a damp, freezing stone cell in the infamous Tower of London. Outside, in the courtyard, the executioner is sharpening his axe. You are waiting to die. And the craziest part? You could walk out of that cell tomorrow completely free.

If you just signed a single piece of paper, would you do it? What if you knew that signing that piece of paper meant telling a massive lie to yourself and to God? Today, we have a jaw-dropping story of high treason, royal drama, and the ultimate test of loyalty. We are talking about two incredible heroes of the Catholic faith, St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More. Even though they share the exact same feast day on the Catholic calendar, they actually lived very different lives.

First, let's talk about John Fisher. Born in Beverly, England in 1469, John grew up to be a A brilliant scholar, a theologian, and eventually, the Bishop of Rochester. Back in the 1500s, it wasn't uncommon for bishops to live like wealthy princes, hoarding money and living in luxury. But not John. He was known for living a super modest life. He didn't care about fancy things or gaining power. Instead, he dedicated every waking moment to preaching, teaching, and fiercely defending the Church. So, what happens next?

Well, that is the question, isn't it? Catholic Doctrine Then, we have Thomas More, who was born in London in 1478. Unlike John Fisher, Thomas was a layman, which means he wasn't a priest or a bishop. He was a family man, a father, and a statesman. He worked as a top-tier lawyer, wrote a world-famous book called Utopia that was read all across Europe, and eventually became the Lord Chancellor of England. Think of that like being the top politician in the country. Because of his sharp intellect and incredible integrity, he was a deeply trusted advisor to the King of England, Henry VIII.

But here is where the story gets intense. King Henry VIII decided he wanted to annul his marriage to his wife, Catherine of Aragon. The pope said no. King Henry's response? He basically said, fine, I don't need the pope. I'll just make myself the supreme head of the church in England. Suddenly, the king demanded that all of his officials swear an oath recognizing his absolute authority over the church. It was a massive power grab.

Practically everyone in power was caving in, signing the oath to protect their wealth, their jobs, and their lives. But not our guys. John Fisher stepped up and publicly, firmly opposed the king's decision. Thomas More also absolutely refused to sign the oath. They didn't try to organize a violent rebellion or stir up political opposition against the king. They simply Quietly and bravely declined to affirm something they believed with all their hearts was false.

They knew that no earthly king, no matter how powerful, could replace the authority of God over their own conscience. Because they stood their ground against the king, both men were thrown into the terrifying Tower of London. For months, they suffered in prison, stripped of their power and status.

Finally, both men were condemned for high treason. On June 22, 1535, Bishop John Fisher was brought out and executed. Just two weeks later, on July 6, 1535, it was Thomas More's turn. As he faced his death, Thomas More spoke legendary final words, declaring to the crowd that he died the king's good servant, but God's first.

Their deaths became one of the most defining moments of the entire English Reformation, showing the world that loyalty to your faith can demand the ultimate sacrifice. In 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized them together as saints. In Catholic art, you can often spot them holding the martyr's palm and the executioner's axe, or wearing a bishop's vestments for Fisher and the chain of office for Moore. Because of their amazing example, Saints John Fisher and Thomas Moore are the patron saints of statesmen, lawyers, politicians, and Anyone defending religious freedom.

So, here is your challenge. Stand up for your conscience when the crowd is doing the wrong thing. You will face intense peer pressure. It takes immense courage to be the one person who says no. When you find yourself in those moments, remember Thomas More and John Fisher. You don't have to start a fight. Just calmly hold your ground. Be a great friend and a kind person, but always stand up for your conscience. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.