Saint Thomas Aquinas
Stored in Cargo: Saint Thomas Aquinas
| Saint Thomas Aquinas | |
| Feast Day | January 28 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Scholars, philosophers, theologians, students, universities, Catholic schools |
| Birthplace | Roccasecca, Kingdom of Sicily (now Italy) |
| Death Place | Fossanova Abbey, Papal States (now Italy) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (possibly stroke or illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Church of the Jacobins, Toulouse, France |
Saint Thomas Aquinas, born in 1225 at Roccasecca in the Kingdom of Sicily, was a Dominican friar whose monumental theological and philosophical works, like the *Summa Theologiae*, earned him the title “Doctor Angelicus.” From a noble family, he defied his parents’ plans for a secular career, joining the Dominicans in 1244 despite being briefly imprisoned by his brothers. Educated in Naples, Paris, and Cologne under Albertus Magnus, he taught at the University of Paris, synthesizing Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine. His prolific career—spanning commentaries, hymns, and the *Summa*—halted after a mystical vision in 1273, leaving his masterwork unfinished. He died on March 7, 1274, at Fossanova Abbey en route to the Council of Lyon, aged about 49.
Canonized in 1323 by Pope John XXII, just 49 years after his death, and named a Doctor of the Church in 1567 by Pope Pius V, Thomas’s feast day, January 28, honors his unparalleled intellect and piety. His relics rest in Toulouse’s Church of the Jacobins, a pilgrimage site, after being moved from Fossanova during the Napoleonic era. Patron of scholars, philosophers, and Catholic education, Aquinas’s thought shaped Western theology, influencing figures from Dante to modern popes, blending faith and reason in a legacy that endures across centuries.
Biography
Birth
Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225—exact date uncertain—at Roccasecca, a hilltop castle in the Kingdom of Sicily (modern Lazio, Italy), to Landulf, a nobleman, and Theodora, kin to Emperor Frederick II. The family’s feudal prominence destined Thomas for abbatial power, likely at Monte Cassino. Roccasecca’s rugged terrain mirrored the resilience he’d later show.
His birth year varies slightly in sources (1224–1226), but 1225 is widely accepted. As the youngest son, Thomas’s early life unfolded in a privileged yet expectant household, priming him for a remarkable shift.
Early Life
Thomas’s childhood centered on Monte Cassino, where he studied as an oblate from age 5 to 13, absorbing Benedictine discipline and Latin. At 14, he moved to Naples to study at the university founded by Frederick II, excelling in logic and natural philosophy. Around 1244, he encountered the Dominicans, whose preaching mission captivated him, prompting his vow to join despite family outrage.
His brothers kidnapped and held him for nearly a year in Roccasecca, even tempting him with a woman—whom he famously repelled with a firebrand. Freed in 1245, he pursued his Dominican calling, unshaken by worldly pressures.
Occupation
Thomas became a Dominican friar in 1244, soon studying under Albertus Magnus in Paris (1245–1248) and Cologne (1248–1252). He taught theology at the University of Paris (1256–1259, 1268–1272), Naples, and elsewhere, producing works like *Summa Contra Gentiles* and *Summa Theologiae*. Ordained a priest, he preached and lectured, integrating Aristotle into Christian thought.
His occupation peaked as a master theologian, writing prolifically—over 60 works—until a 1273 vision silenced his pen. Thomas’s career fused scholarship, teaching, and prayer, reshaping medieval intellectual life.
Vocation
Thomas’s vocation emerged with his Dominican vows, dedicating him to preaching and teaching truth. Joining the Order of Preachers against family wishes, he studied in Europe’s intellectual hubs, defending orthodoxy at Paris against secular critics. His *Summa Theologiae* (1265–1274) aimed to systematize theology, a task halted by a mystical experience on December 6, 1273, when he declared, “All I have written seems like straw.”
Summoned to the Council of Lyon in 1274 to address Greek schism, he fell ill en route. His vocation was to illuminate faith through reason, a mission that made him a cornerstone of Catholic thought.
Death
Saint Thomas Aquinas met his end on March 7, 1274, at Fossanova Abbey, Papal States, dying of natural causes—possibly a stroke or illness—aged about 49. Stricken while traveling, he rested at the Cistercian abbey, receiving last rites and reciting his hymn *Adoro Te Devote*. Buried there, his tomb drew pilgrims after early miracles.
In 1369, his relics moved to Toulouse’s Church of the Jacobins, surviving French Revolutionary upheaval. His quiet death contrasted with his vast influence, sparking swift veneration as a theological giant.
Significant events
- Joined the Dominican Order in 1244, defying family.
- Studied under Albertus Magnus in Cologne, 1248–1252.
- Began *Summa Theologiae* in 1265, unfinished after a 1273 vision.
- Died on March 7, 1274, en route to the Council of Lyon.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Roccasecca, Kingdom of Sicily (now Italy)
Death location: Fossanova Abbey, Papal States (now Italy)
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Canonization
Servant of God
The “Servant of God” process wasn’t formalized in 1274; Thomas’s veneration began in Naples and Fossanova soon after death, with inquiries launched by 1317 under Archbishop Umberto of Naples.
Venerable
No Venerable step existed then; his sanctity was presumed from miracles and writings, accelerating his cause without this modern distinction.
Beatification
Beatified and canonized simultaneously on July 18, 1323, by Pope John XXII in Avignon, after a 1323 healing of a blind man at his Fossanova tomb, among other reported wonders, though only one was canonically required.
Canonization
Canonized on July 18, 1323, by Pope John XXII in Avignon, with the blind man’s healing sufficient under medieval norms, reflecting Thomas’s swift recognition—49 years post-death—bolstered by his theological legacy.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
In 1323, a blind man from Naples regained sight after praying at Thomas’s Fossanova tomb during canonization inquiries. Witnesses, including monks, confirmed his prior blindness and instant cure, deemed miraculous by investigators. Approved in 1323, it met the era’s single-miracle requirement for beatification-canonization.
This healing echoed Thomas’s clarity-giving writings, resonating with his followers. It catalyzed his swift elevation, aligning with medieval veneration practices.
Miracle for canonization
No second miracle was needed; medieval canonizations often combined beatification and canonization with one attested wonder. The 1323 blind man’s cure sufficed, with Thomas’s intellectual sanctity outweighing additional proofs.
His canonization rested on this event and his life’s impact, a testament to his era’s process. Later miracles reinforced his cult but weren’t formally required.
Other notable miracles
- Levitation during prayer, reported by peers (unverified canonically). - Posthumous healings at Fossanova, fueling early devotion.
Patronage
Saint Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of scholars, philosophers, theologians, students, universities, and Catholic schools.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Thomas Aquinas is celebrated on January 28.
Veneration
Saint Thomas is venerated through pilgrimages to the Church of the Jacobins in Toulouse, where his relics rest, and prayers for wisdom and learning. Depicted in Dominican habit with a sunburst or book, his cult extends to Anglican and Lutheran traditions via intellectual legacy. His *Summa* and hymns like *Pange Lingua* inspire devotion, with universities like Aquinas College honoring his name.