St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/5-1274)

St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/5-1274)
Memorial – Saturday, January 28, 2012

St. Thomas Aquinas was a 13th century Dominican Friar, philosopher and theologian. Named a Doctor of the Church and given the title “Angelic Doctor,” he is the patron of Catholic universities, colleges and schools. Renowned for his proofs for the existence of God, Aquinas believed that both faith and reason discover truth; a conflict between them is impossible since they both originate in God. He was instrumental, therefore, in the assimilation of the works of Aristotle into the intellectual life of Western Christendom.

Saint Thomas was born in 1224 or 1225 to noble parents, being the youngest son of Landulf (descendant of the counts of Aquino) and Theodora, a noble woman of Naples. At the age of five, he was placed in the Monastery of Monte Cassino to be educated for a career in the Church.

At about the age of nineteen, he joined the Dominican Order, the Order of Friars Preachers. At about the age of twenty, he was placed under the instruction of St. Albert the Great, first in Paris and later in Cologne. Because of his large stature and quiet nature, Thomas’ fellows called him a dumb ox, but St. Albert declared that Thomas’ bellows would resound throughout the world. In Cologne, probably at the age of twenty-five, Thomas was ordained to the priesthood.

Quotes and Prayers by St. Thomas Aquinas…

“Beware of the man of one book.” “It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.”

“The study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is.”

“The soul is like an uninhabited world that comes to life only when God lays His head against us.”“To one who has faith no explanations is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

“We do not pray to change divine decree, but only to obtain what God has decided will obtained by prayer.”
“Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; Give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; Give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.”

“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. Amen”

“Obedience unites us so closely to God that it in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.”

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love. It signifies Love. It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.” – http://www.aquinasonline.com/thombiog.html