St. Thomas More: On the Move?

St. Thomas More is everywhere. He's in a lot of places I expect to find him: on Jay Anderson's blog; on this blog; in my office, where I keep a framed print of the famous Hans Holbein portrait that I was given for my graduation from law school. His feast day was June 22nd, and Fr. Donoghue preached a very nice homily about him, even though Father doesn't usually preach about saints on their feast days.

That Most Human of Saints has also been popping up in some unexpected places lately. When I was sick a couple of weeks ago, A Man For All Seasons came on. After posting the Prayer to St. Thomas More last night, he came up unexpectedly today, twice -- once at the start of my day, and again at the end of it. This morning at daily Mass, Fr. Donoghue preached a wonderful homily all about how St. Thomas More lived today's very short Gospel reading (Matthew 11:28-30). Then, when I got home from work this evening, I found an envelope in my mailbox from the Diocese of Boise. It was a letter from the bishop, dated July 18th. Here is the full text:

Dear Ms. Moore:

Thank you for your letter of April 23, 2007 regarding your composition of a novena to St. Thomas More. I apologize for the great delay in responding to you.

After review, and after speaking with Mr. Mark Raper, Director of the Office of Canonical Affairs about this matter, I find no doctrinal or moral errors contained within the novena. That being the case, and in accord with the norms of law, I do hereby grant my permission to you, as its author, to publish the novena for public and private devotion in the Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Michael P. Driscoll, MSW, DD
Bishop of Boise

C.S. Lewis once said that for the Christian, there are no coincidences. Clearly, something is going on, and my dear St. Thomas is at the bottom of it. May he forgive me for ever doubting him! Now that St. Thomas More's novena has been approved for public and private devotion, and to thank him in advance for whatever it is he is doing, here it is.

First Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of prudence. You never thrust yourself rashly into any serious undertaking; instead, you tested the strength of your powers and waited on God's will in prayer and penance, then boldly carried it out without hesitation. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtues of patience, prudence, wisdom and courage. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Glorious St. Thomas More, I beg you to take up my cause, confident that you will advocate for me before God's Throne with the same zeal and diligence that marked your career on earth. If it be in accord with God's will, obtain for me the favor I seek, namely _______.

V. Pray for us, O Blessed St. Thomas More.
R. That we may faithfully follow you on the hard road that leads to the narrow gate of eternal life.

Second Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of diligence. You shunned procrastination, applied yourself with fervor to your studies, and spared no effort in achieving mastery in any skill. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and persistence in my preparations for all undertakings. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Third Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of industriousness. You threw yourself wholeheartedly into everything you did, and you found enjoyment even in the most serious things. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of always having suitable employment, the grace to find interest in everything fitting, and the fortitude always to pursue excellence in whatever task God gives me to do. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Fourth Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a brilliant lawyer and a just and compassionate judge. You attended to the smallest details of your legal duties with the greatest care, and you were unflagging in your pursuit of justice tempered by mercy. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to overcome every temptation to laxity, arrogance, and rash judgment in my (legal) duties. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Fifth Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of humility. You never allowed pride to lead you to take on enterprises beyond your abilities; even in the midst of earthly wealth and honor, you never forgot your total dependence on your Heavenly Father. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of an increase in humility, and the wisdom not to overestimate my own powers. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Sixth Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model husband and father. You were loving and faithful to both of your wives, and a diligent provider and example of virtue for your children. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace of a happy home, peace in my family, and the strength to persevere in chastity according to my state of life. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Seventh Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a model of Christian fortitude. You suffered bereavement, disgrace, poverty, imprisonment and a violent death; yet you bore all with the strength and good cheer for which you were known throughout your life. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me the grace to bear all the crosses that God sends me with patience and joy. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Eighth Day

Dear St. Thomas More, in your earthly life, you were a loyal child of God and a steadfast son of the Church, never taking your eyes off the crown for which you strove. Even in the face of death, you trusted in God to give you the victory, and He rewarded you with the palm of martyrdom. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for me and mine the grace of final perseverance and protection from sudden and unprovided death, so that we may one day enjoy the Beatific Vision in your glorious company. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...

Ninth Day

Dear St. Thomas More, you spent your whole earthly life preparing for the life to come. Everything you endured prepared you not only for the glory God wished to bestow upon you in heaven, but for your work as the patron of lawyers, judges and statesmen, and steadfast friend to all who call upon you. Through your prayers and intercession, obtain for us aid in all our necessities, both corporal and spiritual, and the grace to follow in your footsteps, until at last we are safely home with you in the mansions our Father has prepared for us in heaven. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... Glorious St. Thomas More...