Patron Saint Thomas More

St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers. He lived in England during the sixteenth century, studied at Oxford University and received a law degree. He practiced law in the Parliament and was eventually named Lord Chancellor by King Henry VIII.

St. Thomas More put his belief in God and the Church of England above the king and above his career. He was eventually beheaded by the king because he refused to deny the Pope's supremacy in the Church rather than the king's.

St. Thomas More is also the patron saint of other causes:

* Adopted children
* Civil servants
* Court clerks
* Difficult marriages
* Large families
* Lawyers
* Politicians
* Statesmen
* Step-parents
* Widowers

Many people who have St. Thomas More as their patron wear a St. Thomas More medal or a St. Thomas More medallion in remembrance of this great man of the Church.

It is also traditional to give a St. Thomas More pendant to a friend or relative who is attending law school or has already become a lawyer to offer them the intercession of their patron saint Thomas More.

Prayer to Saint Thomas More for Lawyers

Dear Scholar and Martyr, it was not the King of England but you who were the true Defender of the Faith. Like Christ unjustly condemned, neither promises nor threats could make you accept a civil ruler as head of the Christian Church. Perfect in your honesty and love of truth, grant that lawyers and judges may imitate you and achieve true justice for all people. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Thomas More,
Counselor of law and statesman of integrity, merry martyr and most human of saints:

Pray that, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients' tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul.

Pray that my family may find in me what yours found in you: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain-their good servant, and God's first.