St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church


Saint Thomas Aquinas is was a 13th century Dominican priest, philosopher, and theologican. As a Doctor of the Church, he has been given the title "Angelic Doctor" and is the patron of Catholic universities and schools.

St. Thomas reflected the Dominican ideal. He was a true contemplative who shared the fruits of contemplation with others.

Major Life Events

1225 Born to a noble family in Italy

1230 (age 5) Placed in the Monastery of Monte Cassino to be educated

1239 (age 14) Attends the University of Naples

1244 (age 19) Joins the Dominican Order, the Order Friars Preachers

1245 (age 20) Placed under the instruction of St. Albert the Great

1250 (age 25) Ordained to the priesthood

1255 (age 30) Receives his Doctorate in Theology

1256 (age 31) Named Professor at University of Paris

1258 (age 33) Writes Summa contra Gentiles

1265 (age 40) Appointed Archbishop of Naples by Pope Clement. He turns it down to work on Summa Theologia.

1272 (age 47) Appointed head of the faculty of theology at the University of Naples.

1274 (age 49) Dies of disease traveling to a Pope's Council on foot.

Titles

Doctor Angelicus
The Dumb Ox -- Due to his large stature and quiet nature
The Universal Teacher
Doctor Communis
Great Synthesizer

Representation

Chalice Monstrance
Ox
Star
Sun
Teaching
Teacher with pagan philosophers at his feet

Patronage

Academics
Against storms
Against lightening
Apologists
Book sellers
Catholic academies
Catholic schools
Chastity
Colleges
Learning
Lightening
Pencil makers
Philosophers
Publishers
Scholars
Schools
Storms
Students
Theologians
Universities

Most Prominent Virtues

Humility
Chastity
Obedience
Charity
Poverty

Favorite Quotes

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; It signifies Love, It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.

How is it they live in such harmony
the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute
without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
There are wars where no one marches with a flag, thought that does not keep casualties from mounting.
Our hearts irrigate this earth. We are fields before each other.
How can we live in harmony?
First we need to know we are All madly in love with the same God.

Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.

A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.

Peace is the work of justice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace; but it is the work of charity (love) directly, since charity, according to its very notion, causes peace.

In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention.

Beware the man of one book.

The things that we love tell us what we are.

Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good.

Human salvation demands the divine disclosure of truths surpassing reason.

The end of all my labors has come. All that I have written appears to me as much straw after the things that have been revealed to me.

A person is disposed to an act of choice by an angel ... in two ways: Sometimes, a man's understanding is enlightened by an angel to know what is good, but it is not instructed as to the reason why ... But sometimes he is instructed by angelic illumination, both that this act is good and as to the reason why it is good.

Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man's own will.

Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.

Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound in his way to be a lover of myths and poetic fables. Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder.

Well-ordered self-love is right and natural.

It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

Almighty and Eternal God, behold I come to the Sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As one sick, I come to the Physician of life; unclean, to the Fountain of mercy; blind, to the Light of eternal splendor; poor and needy, to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore, I beg of You, through Your infinite mercy and generosity, heal my weakness, wash my uncleanness, give light to my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I thus receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, with such reverence and humility, contrition and devotion, purity and faith, purpose and intention, as shall aid my soul's salvation ...

To love God is something greater than to know Him.

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.

Prayer

Father, help us to emulate St. Thomas Aquinas in His humility and to use the gifts You have given us wisely to draw others to You. Help us to gently take them by the hand and guide them into Your open arms.
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