Walking with the Saints Podcast | January 28, Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of Catholic Schools and Students
St. Thomas Aquinas besides being a Theologian is called The Angelic Doctor because of his angelic wisdom, angelic piety, and his writing on Angels. Thomas, son of Landulph, Count of Aquino, was born in 1224 in Roccasecca, Kingdom of Sicily, Italy. At five years of age, he was placed at the Monastery in Monte Casino for his Education. Late, he was sent to the University of Naples where he studied philosophy. While studying, he kept himself pure and virtuous. At age seventeen, he entered the Dominican Order, but his parents opposed it since the order live in absolute poverty and renunciation. He was abducted and kept at home for two years. Once, his brothers, who wanted to dissuade him from becoming a priest, brought a prostitute I his room. But Thomas refused to touch her and immediately drove her out with a torch. In 1245, when he was set free, Thomas went to Paris and studied Theology and Philosophy at a Dominican Monastery under the future Saint Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus). “In 1252, he obtained his doctorate in Theology. Due to his modesty, he was often silent and called him the “dumb ox,”
Albert the Great came to his defense and said: “You call this young man a “dumb ox” but his writings in due time will resound throughout the world. “Thomas was able to reconcile theology and philosophy (faith and reason), saying that they are compatible and collaborate with each other in proving the existence of God. One morning in 1273 he had a vision. He heard a voice coming from the Crucifix saying: “Thou hast written well of me, Thomas, what reward wilt thou have? “He answered: “None, other than thyself, Lord.” In January 1274, he traveled to Lyon, France, on foot, to serve at the Second Council, but he fell ill and lodged at the Cisterian Monastery in Fossanova, Italy, where he died on March 7, 1274. St Thomas wrote some 60 important and popular works. Foremost among his books are Summa Theologiae and Summa Contro Gentiles.
There are about 6,000 written commentaries about his works. He also wrote Beautiful Eucharistic hymns. St Thomas is also called the Universal teacher for the breathed and depth of his teachings. He was canonized by Pope John XXll on July 18, 1323. His Feast day is January 28. Let us pray the prayer of St Thomas.
“Grant to me, O Lord God, a vigilant heart that no subtle speculation may ever lead me from You; a noble heart that no unworthy affection may draw me from you; an upright heart that no evil purpose may turn me from you.” Do I pray to my Guardian Angel to protect me from unworthy affections and from impure thoughts and behavior?