Bishop of Rochester in England, martyred in 1535 for the same cause as St. Thomas More.
Life
John Fisher was born in 1469 in Beverley, Yorkshire, England. He studied and taught at Cambridge and, as chancellor of the university, contributed greatly to learning and the formation of priests. In 1504 he became bishop of Rochester, living simply and caring for his people.
When King Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Queen Catherine, Fisher publicly defended its validity. He refused the oath recognizing the king as head of the Church and was imprisoned in the Tower of London; while he was there, the pope named him a cardinal. He was beheaded on June 22, 1535, and was canonized with Thomas More in 1935.
Spirituality
John Fisher's spirituality is the faithfulness of a shepherd who guards the sanctity of marriage and the unity of the Church. When many bishops kept silent or followed the king, he stood alone on the side of truth, devoting his scholarly wisdom to the faith. Even in prison he did not stop praying and writing.
Reflection
When others kept silent, John Fisher defended the sanctity of marriage. The family is a gift of God to be protected. What am I doing to uphold the value of marriage and family?