The Diocese of Lansing celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas Becket on Dec. 29; he is remembered for his dedication to the Catholic Church and faith in it even to the point of death when he was killed by Henry II. 

He is the patron saint of Roman Catholic Diocesan Clergy. 

“Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas Becket. Happy feast day! Saint Thomas was Archbishop of Canterbury in England from 1162 until his murder in 1170.  He was killed following his conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was slain by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, Archbishop Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III,” the Diocese of Lansing shared on Facebook.

According to Britannica, “In his early 20s, Thomas met Archbishop Theobold, who introduced him to people such as philosopher John of Salisbury and the future archbishop of York. Archbishop Theobold sent Thomas to study civil and canon law at Bologna and Auxerre. Theobold later appointed Thomas archdeacon of Canterbury, and he soon became chancellor. King Henry II came to consider Thomas a companion and friend. After Theobold died, Henry appointed Thomas as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. After he was appointed, Thomas began leading a more austere and devout life. Thomas and Henry’s relationship deteriorated, and Thomas ended up fleeing to France.  He lived in exile for six years. He returned to Canterbury in December of 1170 to collect his belongings. Four of Henry’s knights forced their way into the Cathedral and murdered Thomas.”

Thomas was canonized very quickly after his death — only three years following — and his shrine was a popular destination for pilgrimages for hundreds of years. He is remembered most for defending the rights of the Roman Catholic Church at a time when it was under persecution.