St. Thomas Aquinas – Patron Saint of Students

St. Thomas Aquinas Biography

St. Thomas Aquinas was a medieval Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher. He is considered one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church and is best known for his works on the integration of faith and reason. He lived in the 13th century and is often referred to as the “Angelic Doctor.” He was born in the kingdom of Sicily, Italy in 1225.

St. Thomas Aquinas was educated in the monastic schools of Italy, first at the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino and later at the University of Naples. He later joined the Dominican Order and studied at the University of Paris, where he became a master of theology. He then returned to Italy to teach at various universities, including the University of Rome and the University of Naples.

One of St. Thomas Aquinas’ most famous works is the “Summa Theologiae,” a comprehensive guide to Christian theology and philosophy. It is considered one of the most important works of medieval theology, and continues to be widely read and studied today. In it, Thomas explains the Catholic Faith, from the existence of God, to the nature of the human being, to the last things.

St. Thomas Aquinas also wrote extensively on other subjects, including ethics, politics, and natural science. He believed in the compatibility of faith and reason, and argued that reason and observation could be used to understand and explain the natural world. He also believed that the truths of faith and reason could not contradict one another, but rather that reason could be used to help understand and explain faith.

One of his famous quotes is that “grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it.” He believed that God’s grace complements, rather than cancels out, our natural abilities and understanding. It is the foundation of his philosophy of integration of faith and reason.

St. Thomas Aquinas passed away on March 7th, 1274 in the town of Fossanova. He was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1323 and is considered a Doctor of the Church, one of the 33 saints who are honored by the Church as having made a significant contribution to the development of doctrine. His feast day is celebrated on January 28th.

His influence in the Catholic Church is immense, his works were highly respected in his own time, and continue to be studied and revered by theologians and philosophers to this day. He is considered the greatest Scholastic and his contributions to Catholic theology were decisive, even to the point of being considered the Church’s own theologian.

St. Thomas Aquinas is remembered as one of the most important figures of the medieval period, and his legacy continues to be celebrated in the Catholic Church, as well as in philosophy and theology more broadly. He continues to be an inspiration to generations of scholars, theologians and people of faith.

The Life of St. Thomas Aquinas

The 13th century was a time of extraordinary intellectual activity, which was not without its dangers. In their enthusiasm for learning, students flocked by thousands to the great Universities, which, were often schools of infidelity as of faith. The great philosophers of the time taught primarily based on the writings of Aristotle, and as Lacordaire said, “… unfortunately, Aristotle and the Gospel did not always agree”.

The Life of Saint Thomas Aquinas

It was amidst the confusion of these new opinions that St. Thomas Aquinas was born in the fortress of Rocca Secca, about the year 1225. It was to the little town of Aquino nearby that he owed his surname Aquinas. His father, the Count, was a nephew of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa; on his mother’s side he was descended from the Norman barons who had conquered Sicily two centuries before. The Aquinas family could claim relationship with St. Gregory the Great, and was closely related to St. Louis of France and St. Ferdinand of Castile.

The future vocation and sanctity of the little Thomas had been predicted to his mother, the Countess Theodora, by a holy hermit named Bonus. The first words spoken by baby Thomas were “Ave Maria”. When only five years old, he began school under the Monks of the celebrated Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino. Thomas made such progress in his studies that his parents sent him, when ten years old under the care of a tutor to the newly founded University of Naples. Here, his extraordinary talents became more and more manifest, whilst at the same time he made rapid strides in the studies of the lives of the Saints.

Suffering for Christ

He was continually held up as a model to his fellow students in a way most painful to his humility. The rarest gifts of intellect were combined in him with the tenderest piety. His leisure hours were devoted to prayer and good works. At a young age St. Thomas Aquinas adapted the Christian faith much to the horror of his family who strove in every way possible to undermine their son’s resolution. He was even imprisoned for more than a year in one of the towers of the Castle, where he had to suffer cold, hunger, and every sort of deprivation.

Thomas’ constancy was put to a yet more terrible trial. His two young brothers brought an evil woman into his chamber, but with a flaming brand snatched from the hearth the Saint indignantly drove her from his presence. With the same brand he then traced a cross upon the wall Casting himself on his knees before it, he besought God to grant him the gift of perpetual chastity. As he prayed, he fell into an ecstasy, during which two angels appeared to him. Girding him with a miraculous cord, they said: “”We are come from God to invest thee with the girdle of perpetual chastity. The Lord has heard thy prayer; and that which human frailty can never merit is insured to thee by the irrevocable gift of God””. The girdle was worn by the Saint until his death, and is still preserved at the Convent of Chieri in Piedmont.

It was only to his confessor, Brother Reginald, that he revealed this grace shortly before his death. Realizing that Thomas would not be overcome by persecution, some in his family helped him to escape, like St. Paul, by letting him down from the tower in a basket to the Friars, who, by appointment, were waiting below. They took Thomas to Naples, where he was immediately admitted to the University.

Joining St. Albert the Great

After years of studies, he became the disciple of St. Albert the Great. Astonished at the genius he displayed, St. Albert put the learning of his saintly disciple to a public test, and exclaimed before the assembled students: “We call Brother Thomas the dumb ox’; but I tell you he will one day make his bellowing heard to the uttermost parts of the earth”. In 1245 St. Albert took Brother Thomas as his companion to the General Chapter in Paris. While there he met a young Franciscan, St. Bonaventure, who was studying in that city. A bond of closest friendship sprang up between them.

After their three years of study, in 1248 both were raised to the degree of Bachelor of Theology. In November of that year Thomas returned to Cologne with St. Albert, where he taught philosophy and theology for four years. Soon after his return, the Saint was raised to the priesthood. His success as a lecturer and scholar was so great that the vast halls of the Convent of St. James were unable to accommodate the audience which desired to listen to his wisdom. He earned his Doctor’s degree in 1257.

A Doctor of the Church

The Church has always venerated his numerous writings as a record of sacred doctrine. In naming him the Angelic Doctor, the Church proclaimed that his science is more divine than human. On December 6, 1273, while saying Mass in his convent chapel in Naples he received a revelation that the end of his labors was near. Summoned by the Pope to attend the General Council convened at Lyons for the reunion of the Greek and Latin Churches, St. Thomas, though ill, accompanied by Brother Reginald and some other Friars, started on January 28, 1274, for Lyons.

On the way his condition grew worse. Not able to reach a Dominican convent, he was carried to the Cistercian Abbey of Fossa Nuova. Every attention was rendered him. His own brethren were in consolable at their approaching loss. One of them asked the Saint what was the best way of living without offending God. He replied: “”Be certain that he who walks in the presence of God and is always ready to give Him an account of his actions, will never be separated from Him by sin””. These were said to be his last words. Shortly after, St. Thomas Aquinas died on March 7 1274, due to a head injury.

St. Thomas was canonized by Pope John XXI Avignon in 1323. In 1567, St. Pius V conferred on St. Thomas Aquinas the title of Doctor of the Church; whilst Pope Leo XIII by a Brief of August 4, 1880, instituted him Patron of all Catholic Universities, Academies, Colleges and Schools. Today the Catholic Church regards St. Thomas Aquinas as the patron saint of students.

Popular St. Thomas Aquinas Medal and St. Thomas Aquinas Rosary

Prayers to St. Thomas Aquinas

Prayer written by St. Thomas Aquinas for Students

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving after Mass Written by St. Thomas Aquinas

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for
even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not
because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy,
You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me
condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation.
May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will.
May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions.
May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience,
and growth in the power to do good.
May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect
calming of all my evil impulses,
bodily and spiritual.
May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me
safely through death to everlasting happiness with You.
And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you,
with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy,
gladness without end, and perfect
happiness to your saints. grant this through Christ our Lord,
AMEN.

Prayers to St. Thomas Aquinas

O great St. Thomas Aquinas, angel of the schools, who has been called the “Pearl of the Church,” the “”Angel of the Schools,” the “Hammer of Heretics,” and the “Ark of the Covenant of the Divine Sun,” I come to you today seeking your intercession and assistance.

You were a brilliant teacher, philosopher and theologian, renowned for your wisdom and holiness. Your writings continue to inspire and guide the Church in our quest for truth and knowledge of God.

St. Thomas, I pray that through your intercession I may grow in wisdom, understanding and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to deepen my faith and love for Him, so that I may live my life for His glory and the good of others.

Grant me the grace to think and reason clearly, and to express myself in a manner that is honest and true. May your teachings continue to enlighten and guide me in my life, so that I may always strive to grow closer to God and live in His love.

St. Thomas, I ask that you pray for me and all those who seek to deepen their knowledge and love of God. Help us to draw ever closer to Him, and to live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to His Name. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Patron Saint of Catholic Schools and Theologians

St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the most renowned theologians and philosophers in the Catholic Church. He was born in Italy in the 13th century and is known for his extensive writings and teachings on the intersection of faith and reason.

Due to his significant contributions to the Catholic Church, St. Thomas Aquinas is recognized as the patron saint of Catholic schools and theologians. His writings, particularly his famous work “”Summa Theologica,”” continue to be studied and referenced by scholars, theologians, and students of philosophy and theology.

In addition to his contributions to the field of theology, St. Thomas Aquinas is also remembered for his devotion to the Catholic Church and his commitment to using reason and logic to defend the faith. He believed that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding was essential to living a virtuous life and that reason and faith could work together to bring people closer to God.

For these reasons, St. Thomas Aquinas is venerated by the Catholic Church as the patron saint of Catholic schools and theologians. He continues to inspire those in the field of theology and religious studies to use their reason and intellect to better understand and defend the faith.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas

The feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas is celebrated on January 28th in the Catholic Church.

St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican friar and priest, as well as a philosopher and theologian. He is considered one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church, and is particularly known for his work on the Summa Theologiae, a comprehensive summary of Christian theology. He is also known for his emphasis on the use of reason in theology, and for his emphasis on the harmony between faith and reason. He died on March 7, 1274 and was canonized in 1323.

On the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, we celebrate the life and legacy of this great saint. As a philosopher and theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, and to understanding the mysteries of God. He recognized the importance of reason in our relationship with God, and sought to use reason to deepen our understanding of the faith.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ emphasis on the harmony between faith and reason is particularly relevant in today’s world, where there is often a perception of a conflict between science and religion. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that faith and reason are not in opposition, but are rather two complementary ways of understanding the truth. This means that we don’t have to choose between faith and reason, but rather we should use both to deepen our understanding of God.

The teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas also remind us that we should not be afraid to ask questions and seek understanding. He encourages us to pursue knowledge and wisdom, and to use our reason to help us understand the mysteries of the faith. This is particularly important for those of us who are called to teach and lead others, as it helps us to be better equipped to share the faith with others.

In conclusion, let us be inspired by the example of St. Thomas Aquinas, to pursue truth and knowledge, to understand the harmony between faith and reason and to use reason in our relationship with God. May his intercession guide us to be the true servants of God, through the use of reason, wisdom and knowledge.

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Saints Similar to St. Thomas Aquinas

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Augustine and the Biography of St. Albert the Great. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and St. Albert the Great are all prominent theologians and doctors of the Church, known for their significant contributions to Catholic theology. Next up: Biography of St. Thomas More

 

Also check out our handmade St. Thomas Aquinas Medal and St. Thomas Aquinas Rosary and St. Thomas Aquinas Rosary Bracelet .