St. John Fisher, the renowned Bishop of Rochester, was a towering figure in the Catholic Church during the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII. Born in Yorkshire, Fisher's life was marked by unwavering devotion to the faith and an unyielding commitment to the truth, even in the face of grave personal peril.
After receiving his early education in his hometown, Fisher went on to study at the University of Cambridge, where he excelled as a scholar and eventually became the Vice-Chancellor of the university. His reputation as a learned and pious man soon caught the attention of Lady Margaret Beaufort, the mother of King Henry VII, who appointed him as her chaplain and confessor. Under Fisher's guidance, Lady Margaret established several important institutions, including St. John's and Christ's Colleges at Cambridge, as well as professorships of divinity at both Oxford and Cambridge universities.
In 1504, Fisher was appointed as the Bishop of Rochester, a position he would hold until his martyrdom. As a bishop, he was known for his unwavering loyalty to the Catholic faith and his devotion to the spiritual and material needs of his flock, especially the poor and the sick. His preaching was renowned for its power and eloquence, and he was often called upon to deliver eulogies for important figures, including King Henry VII and Lady Margaret Beaufort.
When the question of King Henry VIII's divorce from Queen Catherine of Aragon arose, Fisher became the Queen's staunchest supporter, declaring that he was "ready to die on behalf of the indissolubility of marriage." This bold stance incurred the wrath of the king, who never forgave Fisher for his defiance. In 1534, Fisher was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to take the Oath of Succession, which acknowledged the legitimacy of Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn.
Despite the harsh conditions of his confinement and the constant pressure to recant his beliefs, Fisher remained steadfast in his loyalty to the Church. In May 1535, Pope Paul III honored Fisher's courage by creating him a cardinal, a move that only further enraged the king. Weeks later, Fisher was tried and convicted of treason, and on June 22, 1535, he was beheaded on Tower Hill.
John Fisher's life and death have become a powerful symbol of the Catholic Church's resistance to the Reformation in England. His unwavering commitment to the faith, even in the face of death, has earned him a place among the most revered martyrs in the Church's history. Today, he is remembered as a shining example of the courage and integrity that are the hallmarks of true Christian discipleship. His feast day was celebrated yesterday alongside Thomas More, but I wanted to give St. John his own treatment.
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
St. John Fisher, pray for us.