Unique among the works of Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914), this short biographical sketch of St. Thomas à Becket, "the holy blissful martyr," (also known as St Thomas of Canterbury) began as research for a historical novel. Becket's murder at the instigation of Henry II launched the famed pilgrimage to Canterbury and inspired countless works of literature. When his collaborator bowed out of the project, Benson reworked the material into a compelling non-fictional portrait of one of England's most popular and significant historical figures.
This edition features an in-depth foreword by Benson scholar Michael D. Greaney
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 132 pages
Saints - T, U, V
| AB | CD | EF | GH | IJK | LM | NOP | QRS | TUV | WXYZ |
The King's Man
The King's Man
Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
by Msgr Robert Hugh Benson
“For the Name of Jesus, and the defense of the Church, I am ready to die.”—St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
“St. Thomas therefore will always stand as a symbol of the unceasing conflict between the world and the Church; and the fact that some of the principles for which he contended do appear even to some Catholics to be on the very borderline between ‘dogma’ and ‘opinion,’ makes him all the more significant.”—Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson
Robert Hugh Benson’s retelling of St. Thomas Becket’s martyrdom offers a compelling portrait of an archbishop who died defending the Church’s independence from political control. This gripping narrative chronicles the tragic transformation of King Henry II and his former chancellor from intimate friends to mortal enemies, as their conflict over ecclesiastical authority escalates toward its bloody end. Benson masterfully illustrates how this twelfth-century struggle between throne and altar contained the philosophical seeds of a rupture that would reshape the Western world—prefiguring the Protestant Revolt and the conflicts between the Church and the world today. This struggle is summed up in St. Thomas’ own transformation as his allegiance shifts from an earthly king to the King of Kings.
“Catholics believe that Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, and therefore cannot possibly, in the matter of her own constitution, be subject to secular control.”—Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson
Hardcover, size 5.75" x 8.75" 167 pages
Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
by Msgr Robert Hugh Benson
“For the Name of Jesus, and the defense of the Church, I am ready to die.”—St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
“St. Thomas therefore will always stand as a symbol of the unceasing conflict between the world and the Church; and the fact that some of the principles for which he contended do appear even to some Catholics to be on the very borderline between ‘dogma’ and ‘opinion,’ makes him all the more significant.”—Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson
Robert Hugh Benson’s retelling of St. Thomas Becket’s martyrdom offers a compelling portrait of an archbishop who died defending the Church’s independence from political control. This gripping narrative chronicles the tragic transformation of King Henry II and his former chancellor from intimate friends to mortal enemies, as their conflict over ecclesiastical authority escalates toward its bloody end. Benson masterfully illustrates how this twelfth-century struggle between throne and altar contained the philosophical seeds of a rupture that would reshape the Western world—prefiguring the Protestant Revolt and the conflicts between the Church and the world today. This struggle is summed up in St. Thomas’ own transformation as his allegiance shifts from an earthly king to the King of Kings.
“Catholics believe that Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, and therefore cannot possibly, in the matter of her own constitution, be subject to secular control.”—Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson
Hardcover, size 5.75" x 8.75" 167 pages
Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
A Modern Martyr
A Modern Martyr
The Life of St Theophane Venard
by Rev James A. Walsh, M. AP
A Martyr for Our Times
"I like Theophane Venard even more than Saint Louis de Gonzaga, because the life of Saint Louis de Gonzaga was extraordinary and Theophane Venard's was quite ordinary...my soul is like his. He is the one who has best lived my way of spiritual childhood." -St. Therese of Lisieux
Theophane Venard's example, particularly his way of accepting his martyrdom, was a valuable aid to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, especially his words before martyrdom: "I do not rely on my own strength, but on the strength of Him who defeated the power of Hell and of the world through the Cross."
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 186 pages
The Life of St Theophane Venard
Out of Stock
$32.00 Inc Tax
Saint Thomas à Becket
The Holy Blissful Martyr
The Hour Of The Dragon
The Hour Of The Dragon
A Story of Saint Theophane Venard
by Genard Greene, C.S.C.
Theophane Venard was an obedient child that accepted work as an everyday obligation. His parents, devout Catholics, carefully instructed their children in their obligations toward God and their Savior Jesus. The Mass, the Rosary and prayer became most important in their daily lives. After being ordained a priest he was sent to China as a missionary. He suffered greatly and was eventually put to death for his faith. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Theophane Venard by praying to receive grace to face suffering of everyday life bravely, offering all to God and asking to receive death calmly and heroically.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Theophane Venard
by Genard Greene, C.S.C.
Theophane Venard was an obedient child that accepted work as an everyday obligation. His parents, devout Catholics, carefully instructed their children in their obligations toward God and their Savior Jesus. The Mass, the Rosary and prayer became most important in their daily lives. After being ordained a priest he was sent to China as a missionary. He suffered greatly and was eventually put to death for his faith. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Theophane Venard by praying to receive grace to face suffering of everyday life bravely, offering all to God and asking to receive death calmly and heroically.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Theophane Venard
- 1