Print Issue: September 12, 2002

Spotlight On A Saint: The Life Of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest And Doctor Of The Church (1225-1274)

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

Born into a noble family in Italy, Thomas was given to the Benedictine monastery in his parents' hopes that he would become a monk and later an abbot. By the age of 18, he rebelled against his family's wishes and instead joined the Dominican order, much to his mother's dismay. At her command, Thomas was kidnapped by his brother and kept at home for over a year.

After failing to persuade him, Thomas was free to leave and set out for Paris and later to Cologne, Germany, to finish his studies. It was in Cologne that Thomas was ordained a priest. Among other academic accomplishments, he held two professorships in Paris. He lived at the court of Pope Urban IV and directed the Dominican school at Rome and Viterbo, Italy. He died on March 7, 1274.

His Contribution to the Church

St. Thomas's greatest contribution to the Catholic Church is his writing, in which he explores virtually the whole range of philosophy and theology. He was known as the "Great Synthesizer" because of the way in which he related faith and reason, theology and philosophy and systematized the presentation of Christian doctrine. Today his philosophy is the basis for study at every Catholic university. He was canonized in 1323 and proclaimed a doctor of the church in 1567.

How He Can Help You

As the patron saint of students and schools, St. Thomas can be asked for intercession while you're taking that biology test or studying for midterms.

Quotable St. Thomas

"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."

"To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them."

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."

"Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious."