The Diocese marked the Feast of Saint Thomas Becket on 29 December with a celebration of Mass at the Cathedral, honouring the martyr for justice who stands as co-patron of the Diocese. Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, continues to inspire the faithful through his courageous witness to the freedom of the Church and his ultimate sacrifice for truth and goodness.
In his homily, Fr Andrew Behrens reflected on Saint Thomas’s life through the lens of ongoing conversion, reminding the congregation that holiness is not a single moment but a lifelong process of allowing God to transform us. Drawing on his own experience, Fr Andrew spoke candidly about spiritual growth:
“Conversion is a process that continues, or should do, throughout our life… what was happening was God was changing me, that I was allowing God to change me into what he wanted me to be. Now this process, I pray, is still continuing because I know I haven’t got there yet.”
Using the powerful image of a goldsmith refining gold, Fr Andrew explained how God patiently removes the impurities in our lives so that His reflection may be seen more clearly in us. He connected this image directly to Saint Thomas Becket, whose early life was marked by worldly ambition before a profound interior change took place.
As Chancellor, Thomas was closely aligned with King Henry II, but once appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, his loyalties shifted decisively toward Christ and the Church. As Fr Andrew noted, “The impurities were being scraped off… the reflection of the Creator was clearer in his life, and he realised that his life had to change.” This spiritual growth led Thomas to resist the King’s injustices, ultimately costing him his life.
Reflecting on the wider significance of Becket’s martyrdom, the homily emphasised that evil is not overcome by power or force, but by goodness itself. Fr Andrew concluded by reminding the faithful that Saint Thomas’s witness speaks directly to our own discipleship today:
“How is evil to be defeated? It is to be defeated by goodness… goodness, love, mercy, gentleness, peace, kindness, these are the means by which evil will be destroyed.”
As the Diocese honours Saint Thomas Becket on his feast day, the faithful are encouraged to pray for the grace of continual conversion, the courage to stand for what is right, and the humility to allow God to refine their lives according to His will.
Saint Thomas Becket, martyr for justice and co-patron of our Diocese, pray for us.
