John Fisher

Lore & Background

Fisher was executed by order of Henry VIII during the English Reformation for refusing to accept him as Supreme Head of the Church of England and for upholding the Catholic Church's doctrine of papal supremacy. He was named a cardinal shortly before his death. Pope Pius XI canonized John Fisher and Thomas More on 19 May 1935. Fisher studied at the University of Cambridge, became a priest in 1491, and was a key figure in founding St John's and Christ's Colleges at Cambridge. He opposed Martin Luther's teachings and defended Catherine of Aragon during Henry VIII's annulment proceedings.

In Their Own Story

The scoreboard reads 4-2, top of the fifth, and the starter has just been pulled with a two-out count. The umpire signals to the bullpen. Fisher jogs in from the tunnel, glove already working, fingers running over the leather. The lefty at the plate is a .340 hitter who has tormented the A's all week. Fisher sets his feet, looks over the top, and fires the first pitch — a sharp, late-breaking offering that the batter swings through. The second pitch is a changeup, low and away. The third is the same four-seamer, just inside. Three pitches, three strikes, and the A's lead is safe. Fisher jogs back to the mound, spits, and waits for the next at-bat. The Coliseum crowd barely notices; that's the point. The game simply continues, and Oakland keeps winning.

Reader's Guide

John Fisher is a saint and martyr in the Catholic Church, commemorated on 22 June. He is also noted in some Anglican calendars. His life is a study in theological conviction, academic leadership, and resistance to royal supremacy over the Church.

Did You Know?

• Fisher was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, in 1469, the son of a prosperous mercer.
• He was ordained a priest on 17 December 1491, despite being under the canonical age.
• Erasmus called Fisher 'the one man at this time who is incomparable for uprightness of life, for learning and for greatness of soul.'
• Fisher placed a human skull on the altar during Mass and on the table during meals as a reminder of mortality.