Christmas: December 29th
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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Mass Propers for the Fifth Day with the Octave of Christmas
Entrance Antiphon, Jn 3:16:
God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.
Alleluia Verse, Lk 2:32:
A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
Communion Antiphon, Lk 1:78:
Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dawn from on high will visit us.

Mass Propers for the Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket:
Entrance Antiphon:
This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock.
Alleluia Verse, Mt 5:6:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they will be satisfied.
Communion Antiphon, Cf. Mt 16:24:
Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.

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 FiveGiven 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.

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 topHighlights 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.