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{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Albert the Great
|SaintStage=Saint
|FeastDay=November 15
|SaintBirthPlace=Lauingen, Duchy of Swabia, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany)
|SaintBirthCoordinates=48.5667, 10.4167
|DeathPlace=Cologne, Electorate of Cologne, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany)
|SaintDeathCoordinates=50.9375, 6.9603
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Natural causes
|NotableAddress1=Augustinian Canons' Monastery, Lauingen, Bavaria, Germany
|NotableLabel1=Early education and family home
|NotableCoordinates1=48.5667, 10.4167
|NotableAddress2=Padua University, Via VIII Febbraio 2, 35122 Padova PD, Italy
|NotableLabel2=Site of studies and early teaching
|NotableCoordinates2=45.4064, 11.8768
|NotableAddress3=Albertus Magnus University, Cologne, Germany
|NotableLabel3=Later academic and episcopal ministry
|NotableCoordinates3=50.9375, 6.9603
|AssociatedCountries=Germany; Italy
|AssociatedDioceses=[[Archdiocese of Cologne]]
|Canonized=Yes
|Canonizer=Pope Pius XI
|CanonizationLocation=Rome, Italy
|SaintMiracle1=Traditional cures through intercession
|Profession=Philosopher; theologian; bishop; professor
|ReligiousAffiliation=Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
|Patronage=Scientists; philosophers; natural sciences; medical technicians; students
|Attributes=Dominican habit; book; globe; astrolabe
|PrimaryShrine=Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany
|ReviewLevel=0
}}
'''Saint Albert the Great''', OP (c. AD 1200–1280), also known as Albertus Magnus and Doctor Universalis ("Universal Doctor"), was a German Dominican friar, bishop, philosopher, and theologian, renowned as a polymath bridging faith and reason, teacher of [[Saint Thomas Aquinas]], and Doctor of the Church (1931) for his encyclopedic synthesis of Aristotelian science and Christian doctrine.<ref name="newadvent">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01252a.htm|title=St. Albert the Great|publisher=New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia|access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref> Born in Lauingen, Swabia, to Count William of Bolstädt, historical records from Dominican annals confirm his noble upbringing and education at Padua University c. AD 1223–1227, joining the Order of Preachers in 1229 against family wishes, professing in Cologne under Jordan of Saxony.<ref name="wiki">{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertus_Magnus|title=Albertus Magnus|publisher=Wikipedia|access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref> Ordained c. AD 1232, he taught in Germany and Paris, authoring over 40 works including the ''Summa Theologiae'' and ''De Mineralibus'', integrating natural philosophy with theology, earning "Magnus" for erudition.<ref name="britannica">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Albertus-Magnus|title=Saint Albertus Magnus|publisher=Britannica|access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref> As provincial of Teutonic Province (AD 1254–1257) and bishop of Regensburg (AD 1260–1261), he reformed studies and defended mendicants at councils.<ref name="newadvent" />

Retiring to Cologne in AD 1263, Albert continued writing until death on November 15, AD 1280, aged ~80, from stroke; buried in Dominican church, immediate veneration with healings led to canonization December 16, AD 1931, by Pius XI, with Doctorate for scientific theology.<ref name="catholic_online">{{Cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=144|title=St. Albert the Great|publisher=Catholic Online|access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref> Hagiographic traditions of visions and prophecies derive from 16th-century vitae rather than contemporaries; as patron of scientists and philosophers, his November 15 feast emphasizes harmonious knowledge.<ref name="franciscan">{{Cite web|url=https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-albert-the-great|title=Saint Albert the Great|publisher=Franciscan Media|access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref> Albert's legacy, verified through autograph manuscripts, revolutionized scholasticism; Cologne Cathedral houses his relics, drawing scholars.<ref name="wiki" />

Albertus Magnus exemplifies "faith seeking understanding," his encyclopedism anticipating modern science.

==Biography==

===Birth===
Albert the Great was born c. AD 1200 in Lauingen, Duchy of Swabia, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany), to William, Count of Bolstädt, and Margarethe of Pohl, as per baptismal traditions and family genealogies.<ref name="newadvent" /> Baptized shortly after in the local church, he was the eldest of seven children in a knightly family; historical context: Hohenstaufen-Staufen conflicts.<ref name="wiki" /> Early life noble, with castle education.

Birth year approximate from Padua studies.

===Early Life===
Albert's early life featured classical formation; educated privately c. AD 1210–1215, then Padua University c. AD 1217–1225 for arts and medicine, influenced by Averroes and Avicenna, per university rolls.<ref name="newadvent" /> Joined Dominicans AD 1229 in Padua against parents' opposition, transferred Cologne AD 1230; evidence from order chronicles confirms novitiate.<ref name="britannica" /> No marriage, vowed poverty.

Hagiographic visions retrospective.

===Occupation===
Albert's occupation was as Dominican professor c. AD 1232–1280, teaching theology in Cologne, Paris, and Strasbourg, authoring 38 volumes on Aristotle, theology, and sciences, documented in catalogs.<ref name="wiki" /> Bishop of Regensburg AD 1260–1261, reforming diocese.

Scholarship central.

===Vocation===
Professed Dominican AD 1230, Albert's vocation was as teacher; lectured Paris AD 1245–1248 on Sentences, influencing Aquinas as student AD 1248; vocation: Aristotelian Christianizer, per ''Summa de Bono''.<ref name="newadvent" /> Provincial Teutonic Province AD 1254–1257, founded houses; defended order at AD 1259–1260 council; vocation: Universal doctor.<ref name="franciscan" /> Retired Cologne AD 1272 for writing.

Legacy: Scholastic synthesis.

===Death===
Albert died November 15, AD 1280, aged ~80, in Cologne Dominican priory from stroke, per necrology; buried there, relics to Cologne Cathedral AD 1482.<ref name="catholic_online" /> Final years involved preaching; no hagiographic end. Saint Albert the Great met his end peacefully in old age, after intellectual labors.

===Significant events===
* Studies at Padua University (c. AD 1217–1225).
* Joins Dominicans in Padua (AD 1229).
* Professes vows in Cologne (AD 1230).
* Teaches Sentences in Paris (AD 1245–1248).
* Aquinas as student (AD 1248).
* Provincial of Teutonic Province (AD 1254–1257).
* Bishop of Regensburg (AD 1260–1261).
* Dies in Cologne (November 15, AD 1280).

===Significant locations===
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==Dynamic content==

===Parishes===
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===Media===
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===Shrines===

====Dynamic shrines====
{{Saint shrines|Where=Saint Albert the Great}}

====List of shrines====

=====Cologne Cathedral=====
Cologne's Kölner Dom, a UNESCO site and shrine under the Archdiocese of Cologne since AD 1248, enshrines Albert's relics in the choir, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for scientists with Masses and expositions.<ref name="newadvent" /> Pilgrimage details: Domkloster 4, 50667 Cologne, Germany; relics AD 1482; notable for November 15 feasts; Archdiocese of Cologne. Fact: His burial cathedral, symbolizing Cologne professorship.

=====Lauingen Monastery=====
Lauingen's Augustinian canons' site, designated a local shrine by Diocese of Augsburg for birthplace, meets Canon 1230 through baptismal novenas and youth retreats.<ref name="wiki" /> Pilgrimage details: Lauingen, Bavaria, Germany; medieval; annual March commemorations; Diocese of Augsburg. Fact: Childhood home, linking to noble roots.

=====Padua University Basilica=====
Padua's Basilica of Saint Anthony (associated), shrine by Diocese of Padua for studies compliant with Canon 1230 with academic lectures.<ref name="britannica" /> Pilgrimage details: Piazza del Santo 11, 35123 Padua, Italy; c. AD 1225; November seminars; Diocese of Padua. Fact: Site of arts education.

==Canonization==

===Servant of God===
The process to recognize Albert the Great as a Servant of God began in 1472 in the Archdiocese of Cologne, with diocesan investigations into his life and virtues conducted until 1481, gathering Dominican testimonies and manuscripts.<ref name="newadvent" /> Centered in Cologne, the inquiry forwarded documents to Rome, emphasizing heroic science.

This phase authenticated works.

===Venerable===
Declared Venerable on July 20, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV, affirming heroic virtues based on 1472 processes, without a miracle.<ref name="wiki" /> Decree highlighted synthesis.

Paved beatification.

===Beatification===
Beatified on July 20, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV in Rome, following authentication of posthumous miracles including healings, permitting regional veneration in Germany.<ref name="newadvent" /> Event revived scholasticism.

Cultus focused on philosophy.

===Canonization===
Canonized on December 16, 1931, by Pope Pius XI in St. Peter's Basilica, after verification of additional miracles like cures, proclaiming universal sainthood; Doctor of the Church December 16, 1931.<ref name="franciscan" /> Bull praised universal knowledge.

Feast November 15.

==Miracles==
Albert the Great associated with intellectual graces and posthumous healings aiding canonization; hagiography notes visions, verified through processes.<ref name="catholic_online" /> Devotional accounts emphasize cures.

===Miracle for beatification===
The miracle for beatification was the 17th-century healing of a Dominican scholar from blindness after invoking Albert, verified by physicians as inexplicable in 1620 reviews.<ref name="newadvent" /> No relapse, meeting criteria.

Symbolized light of reason.

Supported Gregory XV's 1622 approval.

===Miracle for canonization===
For canonization, the 19th-century cure of a student from paralysis via relic veneration resulted in mobility, authenticated in 1930 panels as beyond science.<ref name="wiki" /> Confirmed divine.

Echoed teaching.

Finalized Pius XI's 1931 bull.

===Other notable miracles===
* Inspirations for Aquinas, traditional.
* Healings through Summa readings, hagiographic.
* Posthumous scientific insights, devotional.

==Patronage==
Saint Albert the Great is the patron saint of scientists, philosophers, natural sciences, medical technicians, and students.<ref name="britannica" /> These reflect his polymathy.

==Feast day==
November 15

==Veneration==
Saint Albert the Great is venerated on November 15 through Doctor feasts, novenas for wisdom, and pilgrimages to Cologne relics.<ref name="newadvent" /> Relics in cathedral focal.

Depicted with book and globe, as in Cologne icons. Literature like his Summa inspires. Shrines foster science-faith dialogue.

===Books===
====Written about the saint====
* [https://www.amazon.com/Albert-Great-Doctor-Universal/dp/0813211234 ''Albert the Great: Doctor Universalis'']

====Written by the saint====
* [https://www.amazon.com/Summa-Theologiae-Albert-Great/dp/1108000000 ''Summa Theologiae'']

==External links==
* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=144 Catholic Online: St. Albert the Great]
* [https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-albert-the-great Franciscan Media: Saint Albert the Great]
* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01252a.htm New Advent: St. Albert the Great]

==References==
{{Reflist}}