1.St. Thomas More as Patron of Statesmen Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_01.mp3The career of Thomas More is examined for the numerous instances in which he displayed the virtues which distinguished him as a model for others in public and political life. 2.Earliest Accounts of Thomas More’s Statesmanship Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_02.mp3The biographical accounts of the life of Thomas More by Erasmus and William Roper are examined for the distinguishing characteristics which cause him to be viewed as a model for others in public and political life. 3.St. Thomas More on Friendship Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_03.mp3The immense capacity of Thomas More for friendship is probed, with special attention to his relationships with Erasmus, King Henry VIII and Antonio Buonvisi. 4.St. Thomas More: A Christian Socrates in Action Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_04.mp3Thomas More is likened to Socrates in his lifelong pursuit of truth and death for fidelity to his ideals. 5.St. Thomas More on Education Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_05.mp3Thomas More had a splendid education himself and saw to it that his children had the same. He sees it as the search for truth and a means to acquire character. 6.St. Thomas More on Becoming Wise and Prudent as Serpents Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_06.mp3The literary career of Thomas More is examined for its brilliance, ranking him with Socrates, Cato and Cicero. Shakespeare was profoundly influenced by Thomas More. 7.St. Thomas More on Government Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_07.mp3Thomas More’s statesmanship relies on unchanging philosophic and theological principles, including the conviction that human beings are created free. 8.St. Thomas More on Church-State Relations Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_08.mp3Thomas More believes that the Church ought to be free from the state’s control, allowed to exercise free speech. Thomas More was even praised by Henry VII for his rule of obeying God and conscience first, then one’s king. 9.St. Thomas More From Resignation to Imprisonment Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_09.mp3When Thomas More cannot condone Henry the VIII’s actions of making himself the head of the Church in England and marrying someone other than his wife, he resigns and is unlawfully imprisoned. 10.St. Thomas More: Imprisonment, Trial And Execution Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_10.mp3Separated from his family, Thomas More lives in difficult conditions in the Bell Tower of the Tower of London for the last 16 months of his life. He writes moving literary works as he prepares for execution. His moving farewell to his daughter Meg is captured in a famous painting. He comforts those who ought to have comforted him. 11.St. Thomas More: Last Words on Statesmanship Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_11.mp3In his time in the Tower of London awaiting execution, Thomas More writes moving meditations on the Agony of Christ in the Garden. 12.St. Thomas More: Elements of His Own Education Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_12.mp3Educated at Oxford, he studies Greek with Erasmus. More courageously insists on priorities and decides which way of life to take. 13.St. Thomas More: His Legacy Host – Fr. C..John McCloskey and Dr. Gerard Wegemertmfs_13.mp3Thomas More is an example for any man and father of a family. Over and above his qualities as friend and humorist, Holbein chooses to portray More’s fidelity to conscience as he paints the saint’s portrait. Thomas More Societies abound in England today.