Feast of the Martyrs of England and Wales

Words of wisdom for today from St Thomas More, on the Feast of his fellow Martyrs.

From Toronto Catholic Witness 

By Barona

Today we celebrate in England the English and Welsh martyrs (depending on which country you are in) done to death in "Reformation" England and Wales, following the despot Henry VIII's wrenching of these countries from the See of Peter. But as with ancient Rome, God raised up great saints. 

In our own day we too face heresy and apostasy - and even persecution  - from both churchmen and faithful, we need to fortify ourselves on the words of St. Thomas More. Especially as more and Catholics fall prey to itching ears. 

[The Christian] should depend on the interpretation of the holy teachers and saints of old, and on the interpretation that's recieved and allowed by the universal Church. For it was the Church through which the Scripture has come into our hands and has been delivered to us in the first place. And without the Church, as St. Augustine says we couldn't know which books are Holy Scripture. 

If a man won't take the teachings of the Catholic Faith as a rule of interpretation when he studies the Scripture - but instead, being distrustful, studies Scripture to find out whether or not the faith of the Church is true - he cannot fail to fall into errors" (A Dialogue Concerning Heresies, 1, 25; Treatise Upon the Passion, 3)

We need to pray - without ceasing - to these great witnesses for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic Church - outside of which there is no salvation.

May we also pray for our priests and bishops, that they, inspired by the holy sacrifices of these martyrs, once again stand up to defend Christ and His Church.

All ye holy martyrs of England and Wales, pray for us