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Thomas, the cat

My very first cat was Thomas, named after Thomas Becket, whose Feast Day is today, because that is the day 40 years ago that he walked into my life.

Thomas Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170, known for his conflict with King Henry II over the rights of the Church. He was canonized as a saint in 1173 and is venerated in both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

 Wikipedia

Thomas Becket spoke truth to power and paid for that with his life. This is his collect in the Church of England (and maybe in the Episcopal Church here too, but I'm going by the book most at hand):

Lord God, who gave grace to your servant Thomas Becket to put aside all earthly fear and be faithful even to death: grant that we, disregarding worldly esteem, may fight all wrong, uphold your rule, and serve you to our life's end; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And Thomas the cat? He introduced me to the whole world of Catdom, that realm we share that is ruled by cats!

 

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