I was surprised 30 years ago in a nine week trip to France that the altar at which St Thomas was slain was in Lyon where it had been moved some centuries before
I did not know this and thank you for adding a remarkable detail. How did it come to that? It seems every time I look at the story of St Thomas there is something else there.
Since Henry 8 ordered the Canterbury shrine destroyed in 1538, perhaps it was moved and concealed before then. I’m looking for the info on when and how it got to Lyin, but coming up empty so far.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished." Luke 11:24-25
Twas you and your fellow pilgrims that shared the light with us, Frank! May Our Lord bless and protect you always, and may The Almighty strengthen you in the time to come!
Small problem with that quote because, if you read a few more line, you understand that it's not the man who returns to the house to find it swept and garnished, but the evicted demon who returns with seven others worse than himself. The parable is intended to warn us that if on once being liberated from sin we do not continue to sanctify our souls with faith filled acts, the resulting void gets filled with worse evil. This is not a feel good quote for a tired and dusty pilgrim, other than to exhort said pilgrim not to rest on his laurels!
Fare thee well, Mark. I'd like to extend the olive branch. There has been a deluge of evil to wade through today, for me. I sense that your intentions were the best. Let us put the past behind us and go forward in service of Christ, Our Lord. You were right to correct my incomplete grasp of the verse from Luke. Let us learn from each other and spread the good news of Christ.
We did nothing of the sort, being the family chapter - with babies and toddles on the route. Bus pick up to make up the miles, and a three day walk. Mind you, this was taxing enough for the little ones (I mean, littler than me) who all did very well.
Beautiful Frank. My wife and oldest son walked the Chartres pilgrimage a few yrs ago, but it's a long trip from the western USA with six kids. Would love to do something with the whole family like that someday.
I am tired today and not very thinky. Also I am not the best at answering this sort of question. But I know someone at the WM Review who is. I should ask them if I were you.
Thanks for replying Frank. I just decided to read about Thomas after reading your post and while I believed it was a great misdeed that was perpetrated at the time, it seems the reasons were a bit vague - at least based on my perception of what I read on christianity.com which may or may not be a good resource.
Anyway, more importantly, well done and congratulations on completing the walk.
It seems that Henry was discheesed with Saint Thomas, and that his remark about being rid of the turbulent priest was taken literally by his knights - who did so. I think the penance King Henry did was seen as sincere. I can’t speak to your Augustinian objection as I am not a good enough scholar to give you a definitive answer. But Wrighty can, and I shall ask him about it when I next speak to him. If he still talks to dwarves, that is.
I was surprised 30 years ago in a nine week trip to France that the altar at which St Thomas was slain was in Lyon where it had been moved some centuries before
I did not know this and thank you for adding a remarkable detail. How did it come to that? It seems every time I look at the story of St Thomas there is something else there.
Since Henry 8 ordered the Canterbury shrine destroyed in 1538, perhaps it was moved and concealed before then. I’m looking for the info on when and how it got to Lyin, but coming up empty so far.
Thank you - again - for this Mr H. Little by little you reduce my ignorance.
Thank you Frank. Very inspiring.
Oh I’m glad you liked it Mr Cook. Thank you for telling me.
My favorite line from Chaucer was about the Scholar: "Gladly would he learn and gladly teach." The story of my life.
You’re an exemplary scholar Mr Cook, and there is a great deal to learn in your books.
Likewise with you my friend! Proud to know you!
Means a great deal coming from you Mr Cook. If I ever write half the book that yours is (Our Country, Then and Now) I should be proud of myself too.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished." Luke 11:24-25
Beautiful. Thank you for this beam of light, Prodigal.
Twas you and your fellow pilgrims that shared the light with us, Frank! May Our Lord bless and protect you always, and may The Almighty strengthen you in the time to come!
Small problem with that quote because, if you read a few more line, you understand that it's not the man who returns to the house to find it swept and garnished, but the evicted demon who returns with seven others worse than himself. The parable is intended to warn us that if on once being liberated from sin we do not continue to sanctify our souls with faith filled acts, the resulting void gets filled with worse evil. This is not a feel good quote for a tired and dusty pilgrim, other than to exhort said pilgrim not to rest on his laurels!
What an education in the comments today. Thank you Mark.
MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA
My apology to Mark of Haerefordscir M.I. for my rude and impulsive reply. And thanks to Mark for correcting a biblical error on my part.
Thank you for your thoroughly Catholic charity Prodigal (not).
Fare thee well, Mark. I'd like to extend the olive branch. There has been a deluge of evil to wade through today, for me. I sense that your intentions were the best. Let us put the past behind us and go forward in service of Christ, Our Lord. You were right to correct my incomplete grasp of the verse from Luke. Let us learn from each other and spread the good news of Christ.
A noble response Prodigal!
That solo pilgrim is Thomas our organist at the Immaculate Heart Church in Belfast! He’s English and was over for the pilgrimage!
Oh my
I live close to the Pilgrims Way, between Rochester and Canterbury. I wish I'd known you were passing!
You certainly had the wrong sort of weather for a long walk!
Oh stuffers what a shame to miss you. Surprised you did not smell me coming, what with the weather.
Frank, I'm shocked you did 119 miles in 3 days. That's insane conditioning dude.
We did nothing of the sort, being the family chapter - with babies and toddles on the route. Bus pick up to make up the miles, and a three day walk. Mind you, this was taxing enough for the little ones (I mean, littler than me) who all did very well.
Grace is everywhere.
Beautiful Frank. My wife and oldest son walked the Chartres pilgrimage a few yrs ago, but it's a long trip from the western USA with six kids. Would love to do something with the whole family like that someday.
Chartes? Well done. Much longer.
This pilgrimage takes place every year. It would be wonderful if you could make it with us some time.
Did Jesus say 'Render unto Caesar .......'
If so, was Thomas Beckett disagreeing with the King following church law rather than the teachings of Jesus?
I am tired today and not very thinky. Also I am not the best at answering this sort of question. But I know someone at the WM Review who is. I should ask them if I were you.
Thanks for replying Frank. I just decided to read about Thomas after reading your post and while I believed it was a great misdeed that was perpetrated at the time, it seems the reasons were a bit vague - at least based on my perception of what I read on christianity.com which may or may not be a good resource.
Anyway, more importantly, well done and congratulations on completing the walk.
It seems that Henry was discheesed with Saint Thomas, and that his remark about being rid of the turbulent priest was taken literally by his knights - who did so. I think the penance King Henry did was seen as sincere. I can’t speak to your Augustinian objection as I am not a good enough scholar to give you a definitive answer. But Wrighty can, and I shall ask him about it when I next speak to him. If he still talks to dwarves, that is.