Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas); Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

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December 29, 2023(Readings on USCCB website)

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COLLECT PRAYER

Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas: Almighty and invisible God, who dispersed the darkness of this world by the coming of your light, look, we pray, with serene countenance upon us, that we may acclaim with fitting praise the greatness of the Nativity of your Only Begotten Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket: O God, who gave the Martyr Saint Thomas Becket the courage to give up his life for the sake of justice, grant, through his intercession, that, renouncing our life for the sake of Christ in this world, we may find it in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

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Today is the Fifth day in the Octave of Christmas. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170), bishop and martyr. He was born in London and after studying in Paris, he first became chancellor to the king and then in 1162 was chosen Archbishop of Canterbury. He went from being "a patron of play-actors and a follower of hounds" to being a "shepherd of souls." He absorbed himself in the duties of his new office, defending the rights of the Church against Henry II. This prompted the king to exile him to France for six years. After returning to his homeland he endured many trials and was murdered by agents of the king.

Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas—Day Five
Given the tempo of the liturgical season with its feasts it is easy to overlook that one saint who for many centuries was, after Mary and Joseph, the most venerated person in European Christendom.

St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury was assassinated in his cathedral on December 29, 1170 because of his opposition to his former friend, King Henry II of England, who was encroaching on the liberties of the English Church.

Devotion to him spread like wildfire. He was enshrined in the hearts of men, and in their arts. In statues and stained glass, in song and story this good bishop was everywhere to be found: France, Italy, Spain, Sweden. Many miracles were attributed to his heavenly advocacy.
—Excerpted from Days of the Lord

Day Five Activity (Caroling)
Day Five Recipe (Sugar Plum Cake as a Crown Cake)

St. Thomas Becket (also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury)
Thomas Becket was born in 1118 of a merchant family. He studied in London and Paris, entered the service of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury, became Lord Chancellor under King Henry II in 1155, and in 1162 Archbishop of Canterbury. Till then a submissive courtier, he now initiated a fearless struggle against the king for the freedom of the Church and the inviolability of ecclesiastical property, occasioning his imprisonment, exile, and finally martyrdom (December 29, 1170). Canonization came quickly (1173); in 1539 King Henry VIII ordered his remains burned.

Formerly the Breviary included this summary of the saint's last days: "Calumniators informed the king that the bishop was agitating against him and the peace of the realm; and the king retorted that with one such priest he could not live in peace. Hearing the royal displeasure, several godless courtiers agreed to do their sovereign a favor by assassinating Thomas. Secretly they traveled to Canterbury and fell upon the bishop while he was attending Vespers. His priests rushed to his aid and tried to bar the church door; Thomas opened it himself with these words: The house of God may not be defended like a fortress. I gladly face death for the Church of God. Then to the soldiers: I command it in the Name of God: No harm may be done to any of mine. Thereupon he cast himself on his knees, commended his flock and himself to God, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Denis and other holy patrons of his church, and with the same heroic courage with which he had withstood the king's laws, he bowed his holy head to the sacrilegious sword on December 29, 1170."

With all the strength that is given us for the defense of God's rights, we must resist those who seek to subject the Church to their power, even if they are those to whom on other grounds we owe service. In St. Thomas of Canterbury the Church celebrates one of her great bishops; by applying to him the Gospel of the Good Shepherd she venerates in him the true pastor of Christ's flock who gave his life for his sheep.

Patronage: Clergy; secular clergy; Exeter College Oxford; Portsmouth, England.

Symbols and Representation: Sword through a mitre; pallium and archbishop's cross; battle axe and crosier; red chasuble; altar and sword.
Often Portrayed As: Archbishop with a wounded head; archbishop holding an inverted sword; archbishop kneeling before his murderers; archbishop being murdered in church; crosier with a battle-axe head at the top

Highlights and Things to Do:

Read more about this historical event. For some web sources see The Murder of Thomas Becket, 1170, and more information on Henry II. Watch this You Tube video of Canterbury Cathedral.
Read more about this saint:
See these photos of some of the articles of St. Thomas, including reliquaries.
Some wonderful literature is based on this saint: Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1342—1400) follows a group of 30 pilgrims traveling to the Canterbury Cathedral, the pilgrimage spot of St. Thomas Becket. T. S. Eliot wrote a play called Murder in the Cathedral based on St. Thomas' murder.
You can see the spot in Canterbury Cathedral where he was murdered. There is more information on this page. This IG post gives a short video.
During the English persecution of Catholics, some of Thomas a Becket's relics were destroyed, and some were whisked away for safekeeping. There are now relics found in Ladyewell Shrine. Read to find out more of the journey of the relics.
Catholicsaints.info has a long list of "e-books" which are archived out-of-print books on St. Thomas.
See Catholic Cuisine for other recipe ideas for St. Thomas Becket.

As an expert on religious studies and historical contexts, I can provide insights into the concepts and figures mentioned in the article, particularly regarding St. Thomas Becket, the liturgical context, and the historical significance.

St. Thomas Becket:

Background and Life: St. Thomas Becket, born in 1118 in London, rose to prominence as Archbishop of Canterbury. His transformation from a loyalist to King Henry II to a staunch defender of the Church's rights is significant. This transformation led to his eventual assassination in 1170, marking him as a martyr for his faith.
Conflict with King Henry II: The primary point of contention between Becket and King Henry II was the degree of ecclesiastical independence from the crown. Becket's staunch defense of the Church's rights and privileges clashed with Henry II's ambitions to exert more control over ecclesiastical matters in England.
Martyrdom and Canonization: St. Thomas Becket's assassination within the confines of Canterbury Cathedral underscores the gravity of his stance against royal authority. His quick canonization and subsequent widespread devotion across Europe highlight his enduring legacy.
Symbols and Patronage: Various symbols associated with St. Thomas Becket, such as the sword through a mitre and the pallium, reflect his dual identity as both an archbishop and a martyr. His patronage extends to the clergy and specific institutions, like Exeter College Oxford and Portsmouth, England.

Liturgical Context:

Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas: The liturgical calendar designates December 29th as the Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord. This period focuses on the celebration of Christ's birth and its theological implications for Christians worldwide.
Collect Prayers: The prayers provided, both for the Octave of Christmas and the Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, encapsulate the theological themes and petitions central to each observance. They invoke divine guidance, remembrance, and intercession.

Historical and Cultural References:

Literary and Artistic Depictions: St. Thomas Becket's story has inspired numerous literary works, most notably Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and T.S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral." These works showcase the enduring impact of Becket's life and martyrdom on literature and drama.
Relics and Devotion: The article highlights the dispersion and preservation of St. Thomas Becket's relics, underscoring the enduring devotion and reverence accorded to him by Catholics and others.

In summary, St. Thomas Becket remains a pivotal figure in religious history, especially concerning the Church-state dynamics of medieval Europe. His life, martyrdom, and subsequent veneration offer profound insights into the interplay between religious conviction, political power, and cultural memory.

Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas); Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr - December 29, 2023 - Liturgical Calendar (2024)