June 22 is the feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More, the two great martyrs of the English Reformation. John Fisher was bishop of Rochester, the poorest see of England, a scholar and a friend of Erasmus, who had been the confessor of the mother of Henry VII. He refused the Oath of Supremacy that made the King the head of the Church in England, was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and beheaded on June 22, 1535. Pope Paul III had made him cardinal a few weeks before, in the hope of saving him; the King sent the cardinal's hat to London instead.
Thomas More was the Lord Chancellor of England, the author of Utopia, a friend of Erasmus and of Fisher. He resigned the chancellorship in 1532 rather than sign the King's divorce, refused the Oath of Supremacy, was imprisoned in the Tower, and was beheaded on July 6, 1535, five days after Fisher. His last words were "I die the King's good servant, but God's first." The two were canonized in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.
From Canterbury, where Fisher was bishop, to London, where both were imprisoned and More was beheaded, the June 22 feast is the feast of the bishop and the layman who refused to make the King the head of the Church.
Connected Destinations
Canterbury
England (UK) · Europe
Canterbury is home to St Thomas of Canterbury Church, housing the shrine and relics of St Thomas Becket, making it England's premier Catholic pilgrimage destination.
London
England (UK) · Europe
London, the capital and cultural heart of the United Kingdom, invites pilgrims to explore its rich Catholic heritage steeped in centuries of faith, tradition, and resilience. Despite the Reformation's trials, London preserves remarkable sites that reflect the city's dynamic Christian history, where saints, martyrs, and scholars have left their indelible marks. Pilgrims come to London not only to visit its majestic churches and cathedrals but to walk in the footsteps of those who have shaped the faith amid political and religious upheavals. From the inspiring Byzantine vaults of Westminster Cathedral to the tranquil medieval sanctuary of St Etheldreda's Church, London offers spiritual nourishment and historical insight. The city's many pilgrimage routes, historic shrines, and vibrant Catholic communities testify to the enduring presence of the Church here, inviting every pilgrim—whether devout Catholic or curious visitor—to a journey of reflection, prayer, and renewal.