December 29th is the feast of Saint Thomas a Becket.
Living in the 1100's, Thomas was a personal friend of England's King Henry II. In order to gain more control over the Church, Henry used his influence to have Thomas installed as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thomas took the position, but also took his new obligations very seriously. He refused to bend to the will of Henry and instead strengthened the Church's position in England. In retaliation, Henry had Thomas killed inside Canterbury Cathedral.
Saint Thomas a Becket, ora pro nobis!
