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The Diocese of Stockton bestows the Saint Thomas More Award on a member of the Catholic faithful who, through his or her career, has endeavored to live a life of faithfulness to the Gospel and service to the legal profession.
Saint Thomas More Award Recipients
2023 The Honorable Consuelo (Connie) Callahan
About Saint Thomas More
Thomas More (1478–1535) entered Oxford University in 1492 and, after training in law in London, entered the legal profession ten years later. Thomas won a seat in Parliament in 1504. Knighted by Henry VIII in 1521, he became Lord Chancellor in 1529. When Sir Thomas refused to acknowledge Henry as head of the Church in England or his self-granted annulment from Catherine, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. On July 6, 1535, on his way to the gallows, Sir Thomas is quoted as saying, “I die the king’s good servant, and God’s first.”
Pope Pius XI canonized the martyr on May 19, 1935. Saint Thomas More is the patron of adopted children, civil servants, court clerks, lawyers, politicians, stepparents, and widowers. His liturgical memorial is celebrated June 22.
