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The Sadness of Christ and Final Prayers and Benedictions
This book was the last that St. Thomas More wrote in the Tower of London before he was executed for standing firm in his Catholic faith. In it, he explores the Gospel passages that depict the agony of Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. He depicts Christ as a model of virtue in the face of suffering and persecution. And along the way, he includes valuable and eternally relevant reflections on prayer, courage, friendship, statesmanship, and more. Here is an excellent resource for Lent or anytime!
162 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1535
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386 people want to read
About the author
Thomas More
454 books1,109 followersSir Thomas More (1477-1535), venerated by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. He was a councillor to Henry VIII and also served as Lord High Chancellor of England from October 1529 to 16 May 1532.
More opposed the Protestant Reformation, in particular the theology of Martin Luther and William Tyndale. He also wrote Utopia, published in 1516, about the political system of an imaginary ideal island nation. More opposed the King's separation from the Catholic Church, refusing to acknowledge Henry as Supreme Head of the Church of England and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. After refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was convicted of treason and beheaded.
Pope Pius XI canonised More in 1935 as a martyr. Pope John Paul II in 2000 declared him the "heavenly Patron of Statesmen and Politicians." Since 1980, the Church of England has remembered More liturgically as a Reformation martyr. The Soviet Union honoured him for the Communistic attitude toward property rights expressed in Utopia.
More opposed the Protestant Reformation, in particular the theology of Martin Luther and William Tyndale. He also wrote Utopia, published in 1516, about the political system of an imaginary ideal island nation. More opposed the King's separation from the Catholic Church, refusing to acknowledge Henry as Supreme Head of the Church of England and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. After refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was convicted of treason and beheaded.
Pope Pius XI canonised More in 1935 as a martyr. Pope John Paul II in 2000 declared him the "heavenly Patron of Statesmen and Politicians." Since 1980, the Church of England has remembered More liturgically as a Reformation martyr. The Soviet Union honoured him for the Communistic attitude toward property rights expressed in Utopia.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 6, 2018
UPDATE--Finished my third read through, each time during Lent. The book is still a great reflection/devotional piece. Original review follows...
This book is a collection of writings from St. Thomas More during his imprisonment in the Tower of London before he was executed. The main text is "The Sadness of Christ," a spiritual reflection on the gospel accounts of Jesus and his apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He died. Also included are a collection of scriptural quotes and reflections, Imploring Divine Help Against Temptation, How to Treat Those Who Wrong Us, On Saving One's Life, A Meditation on Detachment, and A Prayer Before Dying.
I read this book as spiritual reading for the end of Lent, that is, during Holy Week. I found it very inspirational and instructive. More has very down to earth advice on prayer and is quite emphatic on prayer's importance in resisting temptation and fulfilling God's Will. The need for focus is brought out in the contrast between the sleepy apostles who want to do good but don't follow through and Judas who wants to do an evil and is quite focused and ready. More points out that this is a constant problem in the history of the church. The good clergy (bishops and priests) don't act with fervor and determination while those who want to bring the Church down are focused and energized. Luckily, with Jesus's example, the good people can overcome the lethargy to which they are tempted by using prayer and accepting of God's will. More brings this out quite well by noting how Jesus turns from His fearful prayer for this cup to pass to His astounding the crowd of armed men so much with His courage that they fall back away from Him.
There are lots of great spiritual nuggets in here. I will be reading this again next year for Holy Week!
This book is a collection of writings from St. Thomas More during his imprisonment in the Tower of London before he was executed. The main text is "The Sadness of Christ," a spiritual reflection on the gospel accounts of Jesus and his apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He died. Also included are a collection of scriptural quotes and reflections, Imploring Divine Help Against Temptation, How to Treat Those Who Wrong Us, On Saving One's Life, A Meditation on Detachment, and A Prayer Before Dying.
I read this book as spiritual reading for the end of Lent, that is, during Holy Week. I found it very inspirational and instructive. More has very down to earth advice on prayer and is quite emphatic on prayer's importance in resisting temptation and fulfilling God's Will. The need for focus is brought out in the contrast between the sleepy apostles who want to do good but don't follow through and Judas who wants to do an evil and is quite focused and ready. More points out that this is a constant problem in the history of the church. The good clergy (bishops and priests) don't act with fervor and determination while those who want to bring the Church down are focused and energized. Luckily, with Jesus's example, the good people can overcome the lethargy to which they are tempted by using prayer and accepting of God's will. More brings this out quite well by noting how Jesus turns from His fearful prayer for this cup to pass to His astounding the crowd of armed men so much with His courage that they fall back away from Him.
There are lots of great spiritual nuggets in here. I will be reading this again next year for Holy Week!
April 2, 2021
A beautiful reflection of Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemene on the first Holy Thursday by St. Thomas while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. A wonderful exegesis, primarily spiritual, in which Sir Thomas was quite reflecting on his own predicament in light of how the Lord handled His impending death.
Several "appendixes" have Thomas's Scriptural quotes and reflections, imploring divine help through the Psalms, how to treat those who wrong us, and more including concluding with "A Prayer before Dying."
Very rich and moving. I used it for Holy Week reading. But it is particularly valuable for anyone going through a very difficult time, especially a terminal illness.
Several "appendixes" have Thomas's Scriptural quotes and reflections, imploring divine help through the Psalms, how to treat those who wrong us, and more including concluding with "A Prayer before Dying."
Very rich and moving. I used it for Holy Week reading. But it is particularly valuable for anyone going through a very difficult time, especially a terminal illness.
February 19, 2018
This is a book of meditations on Christ's agony in the garden of Gethsemane which St Thomas More composed in the Tower of London. St Thomas wrote several books during his imprisonment, but this was his last.
It is clear that More has spent a great deal of time meditating and praying about the example of Christ in facing martyrdom.
Two items of particular note:
First, unlike some martyrs, St Thomas was greatly afflicted with fear and sorrow. He overcame these temptations by following the example of Christ in Gethsemane: "Remain awake and pray that you may not fall prey to temptation"
Second, Thomas prayed very earnestly for King Henry VIII, and the counselors who put him to death. Certain portions of this book read as though they were written by More to his friend, the king, urging him not to despair of God's mercy; that repentance was possible even after killing St. Thomas.
It is clear that More has spent a great deal of time meditating and praying about the example of Christ in facing martyrdom.
Two items of particular note:
First, unlike some martyrs, St Thomas was greatly afflicted with fear and sorrow. He overcame these temptations by following the example of Christ in Gethsemane: "Remain awake and pray that you may not fall prey to temptation"
Second, Thomas prayed very earnestly for King Henry VIII, and the counselors who put him to death. Certain portions of this book read as though they were written by More to his friend, the king, urging him not to despair of God's mercy; that repentance was possible even after killing St. Thomas.
January 1, 2020
Imagining Thomas More sitting in his prison cell, awaiting execution as a martyr while writing this text gives me the tingles.
January 10, 2026
A transformative book and a poignant account of the start of Christ's road to the cross.
January 3, 2016
This is the best book that I have ever read. St. Thomas More was imprisoned in the tower of London. During his imprisonment his pregnant daughter Margaret was finally allowed to visit him. On this day 4 Carthusian monks were sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, and the execution procession began outside of More's window. It was on this day that More began writing this book: The Sadness, the Weariness, the Fear and the Prayer of Christ Before He Was Taken Prisoner. It is a life changing read and I can't recommend it enough!
Want to read
January 7, 2010Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
August 17, 2016
Reccommended by my brother in law and a good way to help you embrace chaos and keep hope alive in your heart.
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April 23, 2025A sobering commentary on the betrayal in Gethsemane, written by Thomas More as he awaited his execution.
This will continue to be a re-read for Lent every year.
This will continue to be a re-read for Lent every year.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews