STU College of Law Unveils and Blesses St. Thomas More Statue, Offering Prayer and Support for Students During Final Exams
By Belkis Mejia Perdomo
The St. Thomas University College of Law community gathered on Dec. 2, 2025, at the Cordero Breezeway for the unveiling and blessing of a new statue of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, civil servants, and religious liberty. The ceremony brought together students, faculty, and staff, guided by Campus Ministry leaders in a moment of reflection, unity, and spiritual grounding as the community prepared for final exams.
The event began with STU’s long-held tradition of opening major gatherings with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, reaffirming the university’s commitment to faith, and forming ethical, service-driven legal professionals. Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado of the Archdiocese of Miami then blessed and dedicated the statue, which now stands prominently at the heart of the College of Law.
A Model of Integrity and Moral Courage
St. Thomas More, a 16th-century English lawyer, judge, and statesman, is widely regarded as one of history’s greatest models of integrity in public life. Known for his sharp intellect, deep faith, and unwavering commitment to conscience, More served as Lord Chancellor of England before choosing principle over political pressure. His refusal to betray his beliefs cost him his position and ultimately his life. He was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1935.
His example continues to resonate deeply within legal education and practice. More’s legacy aligns closely with the mission of the St. Thomas University College of Law and its emphasis on ethical leadership, preparing future attorneys not only for professional success but for principled lives of service
Faculty Reflections on the Meaning of the Statue
Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro emphasized the significance of the installation and its alignment with the mission of St. Thomas University College of Law.
“Today’s unveiling of the St. Thomas More statue at the very center of our College of Law is intentional and symbolic. As the patron saint of lawyers and civil servants, St. Thomas More represents the foundation of the legal education we provide—one rooted in faith, principle, and moral courage. Our students don’t just earn a J.D.; they are formed to be ethical and servant leaders, equipped to use their voice to do good in the legal community.”
— Dean Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro, St. Thomas University College of Law
Following the blessing, faculty members lingered to reflect on what the statue represents for the community. Professors John and June Mary Makdisi, who for decades have shaped both the academic and spiritual formation of STU College of Law students, noted the importance of grounding legal education in virtue.
“The St. Thomas More statue is a wonderful symbol of our University’s mission to train ethical leaders for life. By following the example of this patron saint of lawyers, we acknowledge our legal duty to be serious advocates for our clients without compromising our responsibility to put God’s law first.”
A Student Perspective
For students, the ceremony offered more than a powerful symbol. With finals week approaching, many shared that the gathering arrived at exactly the right moment, a pause that brought perspective, calm, and a sense of community before the intensity of exams. A third-year law student, Daniel Gonzalez shared how meaningful it was to pause and reflect in community before diving into exams.
“The Saint Thomas More statue is a beautifully meaningful addition to our law school. The life of St. Thomas More reflects a steadfast commitment to truth, service, and justice—values grounded in God’s calling for each of us. This statue symbolizes the importance of standing firm in faith and integrity, even under immense pressure, and represents exactly what St. Thomas University strives to instill in its students.”
The statue now stands alongside the traditional Lawyer’s Prayer, a reminder of the values attorneys are called to uphold throughout their careers. Together, they serve as a spiritual anchor for the College of Law and an enduring testament to integrity, humility, intellect, and moral courage in the legal profession and beyond.
This moment of blessing and community support reflects the University’s commitment to forming not only accomplished attorneys and professionals, but ethical leaders rooted in faith and guided by a higher purpose.
