The feast of St Thomas Aquinas

The feast day of Thomas Aquinas is coming up in two weeks. Originally his feast day was celebrated on March 7, the date he died, and this was later moved to January 28. Thomas Aquinas has been considered one of the greatest and most influential intellects of the Catholic Church. Before he was born his mother was told that he would become a great learner someday. This prediction became true and for this he is considered patron saint of students, academics and scholars.

Born into a wealthy family, he would later give up a life of luxury to become a poor Dominican friar. Growing up, he studied Aristotle. His early studies of the Greek philosopher and his religious studies combined were what made him one of the most influential intellects of the Catholic Church. It was from these studies that he wrote his most influential work called the Summa Theologica.

He joined a community of Dominican friars in secret in 1243 and a year later he received the habit. Displeased by his choice to follow this path, his family kidnapped him and held him captive at home for a year in an attempt to persuade him against being a friar. Thomas, however, held fast and his family gave in, allowing him to return to the Dominican order.

Ordained

He was ordained around 1250 and he continued his philosophical studies, learning under St Albert the Great and going on to teach theology. As learned as he was, he was humble about his intellectual accomplishments and his modesty led fellow students to believe him to be unintelligent. St Albert defended Thomas, proclaiming, “We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world!”

His writings were of great importance to Thomas Aquinas but in 1273 he had a vision which changed his views on writing forever. During Mass celebrating the feast of Saint Nicholas, he is said to have heard a voice coming from the crucifix, praising his writings on God. While others urged him to continue writing, he could do no more as his vision touched him in a way that made his writings seem less of value.

Thomas Aquinas died on March 7, 1274. Nearly 100 years later his remains were moved to Toulouse on January 28.