Memorial Day Catholic: January 28
St. Thomas Aquinas was a significant Catholic theologian, philosopher, priest, and Doctor of the Church in the 13th century. He was born around 1225 in Roccasecca near Aquino in Italy and died on March 7, 1274, at the Abbey of Fossanova.
Origin and Education
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Thomas was the seventh child of a noble count’s family from Aquino and was given a religious upbringing from the age of five, initially at the Benedictine monastery of Montecassino.
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Despite his family’s resistance, he joined the Dominican Order in 1244, a mendicant order that emphasized poverty and spiritual asceticism.
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He studied in Naples, Paris, and Cologne, focusing especially on the philosophy of Aristotle, which decisively shaped his way of thinking and scholasticism.
Spiritual and Scholarly Work
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Thomas became a student of the famous Doctor of the Church Albertus Magnus and later himself became one of the most influential theologians of the Middle Ages.
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He taught in Paris, Rome, and Naples and wrote extensive theological and philosophical works, including his main work “Summa Theologiae,” which is still considered a fundamental textbook of Catholic theology today.
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In his writings, he combines theology and philosophy with logical reasoning to provide a scientific foundation for faith and make it accessible.
Conflicts and Death
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His family tried to prevent him from joining the order and even held him captive for a time, but Thomas remained steadfast in his path of faith.
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Thomas died in 1274 at the Cistercian Abbey of Fossanova on his way to a church council.
Significance and Veneration
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In 1323 he was canonized, in 1567 named Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V, and in 1880 made patron of all theological universities.
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He is regarded as the “Doctor Angelicus” and the main representative of scholastic theology, which continues to influence Christian thought to this day.
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His works remain foundational for theology, philosophy, and church history.
Thomas Aquinas is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint and important thinker, whose union of faith and reason plays a central role in Christian theology.
Words of the Saint
Thomas was not only a scholar but also a man of prayer. He found inspiration before the tabernacle. He is said to have had visions multiple times.
Famous is the dialogue with Christ on the cross:
“You have written well of me, Thomas.
What do you desire as a reward?”
Thomas replied:
“Nothing but You, Lord.”
He also composed profound hymns for the Eucharist, such as for the Feast of Corpus Christi: “Pange lingua,” “Tantum ergo,” “Adoro te devote.”
Thomas Aquinas shows that the Catholic faith does not stand against reason, but fulfills it. His life unites deep scholarship with mystical love of God. He is a role model for theologians and believers, a bridge-builder between faith and reason, a saint who still provides guidance today.