June 22nd - Saint John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr
c.1469-1535
The long agony of the Church in England, beginning in the reign of Henry
VIII,
had for one of its first and most illustrious victims Saint John Fisher,
the
bishop of Rochester. Born in York****re in 1469, Fisher was sent to
Cambridge
University at fourteen, was ordained there in 1491, and served there in
various
positions until he was named chancellor of the university in 1504. In
1502
he
had been made chaplain to Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry
VII.
With her financial assistance, Cambridge developed into one of the finest
universities of Europe. As chancellor, Fisher brought the humanist
Erasmus
to
teach at Cambridge, restored Greek and Hebrew to the curriculum, and
multiplied
many times over the meager library of some 300 books. Unlike so many
scholars
of the time, Fisher had something besides learning: his spirit could not
grow in
knowledge alone, and love of the cross led him to associate a hair ****rt
and
the
use of a discipline with his scholarly work.
Appointed bishop of Rochester when he was only thirty-five (he had refused
richer sees), the saint was as conscientious and successful as he had been
at
Cambridge. Administering the diocese and the university, producing
scholarly
works in opposition to the Lutherans, Bishop Fisher was soon the
outstanding
prelate in England. This, at least, was the opinion of Henry VIII, who
early in
his reign often spoke glowingly of the qualities of "his Rochester." As
time
passed, however, and Henry became increasingly preoccupied with Anne
Boleyn,
his
appreciation for the bishop grew considerably less. In 1529, when the
king
began divorce proceedings against his wife, Catherine, Fisher spoke
against
the
legality of the action. Henry began insinuating that the bishop was a
traitor,
the charge that later became standard for anyone who opposed the will of
the
monarch, even in religious matters.
The Oath of Succession, which acknowledged Henry as supreme head of the
English
Church, was the next test; when Fisher refused to take the oath (almost
alone,
with Thomas More, among the distinguished men of England to see the issue
clearly and refuse), a trial for treason was the result, with a verdict of
guilty that was never in doubt. This was in June 1535; Fisher had been in
prison for months, and while there had been sent a cardinal's hat by Pope
Paul
III, an action that hastened his trial by further enraging the king
against
him.
Awakened on the morning of June 21, and told that this was to be the day
of
his
execution, the bishop asked to have a little more sleep, as he had had a
restless night; after two hours of sound slumber, he awoke, ready for what
was
to follow. Taking up his New Testament he read the consoling text: "Now
this is
everlasting life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and him whom
thou
hast sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified thee on earth; I have
accomplished
the work that thou hast given me to do" (John 17:3-4). On Tower Hill,
facing
the huge mob that had come to see him die, the bishop spoke to the people
calmly, telling them that he was dying-for "the faith of the Catholic
Church
and
of Christ," and asking them to pray for him. He was beheaded, and Henry,
in
a
last vengeful gesture, had the head of the saint exposed on London Bridge
for
two weeks and then thrown into the Thames. In 1935, Pope Pius XI
canonized
both
Fisher and Thomas More, who was executed a few days after the bishop.
This Version taken from:
http://www.geocities.com/barats2000/Feasts.html
Saint Quote
A servant of God signifies one who has a great charity towards his
neighbor,
and
an inviolable resolution to follow in everything the Divine Will; who
bears
with
his own deficiencies, and patiently sup****ts the imperfections of others.
-St. Francis de Sales
Reflection.
It is for men, and not for Angels, that our Blessed Lord resides upon the
altar.
Yet Angels throng our churches to wor****p Him, while men desert Him. Learn
from
Saint Francis to avoid such ingratitude, and to spend time as he did, in
adoration before the Most Holy Sacrament.
Bible Quote
And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall
stand
to
see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb:
(Malachias
3:2)
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Action Saints Renewal
Compassionate heart of Jesus,
To offer Love Divine
To children who will turn away,
Engrossed in earthly time-
The wounds will bleed anew,
The tears commence to flow,
For wickedness and thoughtless child
Will lose the hearts, that's true.
He stands there at the door
Of happiness and light,
And watches the stars flicker,
As souls descend to night.
The darkness settles in
To cover peace and joy;
For satan laughs and continues to treat
Some souls just like a toy.
A prayer went up from Heaven,
The battle cry anew:
To save these souls from evil lures,
In every way they knew.
A light descended earthward,
A figure flying in.
It was for sure another saint,
To save a soul from sin.
The saints, in all their glory,
Are out to find a way,
To help their loving Jesus
In some new earthly way.
Spread over on the earth
Are souls who'll understand;
Who'll welcome them into their hearts,
And want to lend a hand.
A saint will find a body
To cover a bare soul;
For how can they approach us all.
When last seen in a hole?
So they'll come down from Heaven
A miracle they will say-
Well, let them all be miracles,
If they will make you pray.
We owe so much to Jesus;
He gave us all His heart.
Did we show any love at all,
Or were we worldly smart?
It doesn't take much learning,
To speak right up and say:
I'll always pray and follow
The road to Jesus every day.
For one day we'll be waiting
To meet Him face to face;
And Heaven help our anguished hearts
If sent to that other place!
So let's all play it safe,
And lead our life with God:
If practiced every single day,
The habit won't come hard.
But, most of all, remember:
In love, it's always true:
You'll always find it's easy
To care in everything you do.
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