One of the greatest philosophers of all times. Called the ‘Angelic Doctor’ because of his undisputed mastery of scholastic theology and a profound holiness of life. His monumental work, the “Summa Theologiae”, was still unfinished when he died. Patron of Catholic Schools. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds] “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1467)
The way to God: Piety and doctrine
As a young student at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, St Thomas kept asking his professor: ‘Who is God? Please explain to me what is God?’ Eventually, he came to the conclusion that knowing God is a spiritual endeavor far beyond what teachers and books alone could provide.
The prayerful soul must seek the truth with a clean and humble heart. St Thomas always sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit before he would begin to teach or write. He spent many hours in prayer before the Tabernacle while studying the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Incredibly intelligent, his fairly brief life was an ardent pursuit of a profound understanding of God, man and Creation. An expert in classical philosophy and Church Fathers, he synthesized the harmony of faith and reason.
The Church has repeatedly pointed to St Thomas as a role model of fidelity to the Magisterium; an example of humility and rectitude of intention in professional work. One day while praying, St Thomas heard these words from the crucified Jesus: “Thomas, you have written well of me. What reward do you wish for your work?” St Thomas responded: “Lord, I want nothing else but you.” (cf “Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae”, 108)
St Thomas always believed the smallness of his efforts compared to God’s immensity. After Holy Mass one day, St Thomas decided to abandon his life’s work, the “Summa Theologiae”. He explained: “After what God saw fit to show me on the feast of St Nicholas, it seems to me everything I have written is worthless. And so, I am unable to write anything more.” (cf Bartolome de Capua, in the “Neapolitan Process of Canonization”, 79: “Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae”, 3777)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:81-2
The Genius of St Thomas Aquinas
His realistic and historical method, fundamentally optimistic and open-minded, makes St Thomas ‘Doctor Communis Ecclesiae’, ‘Common Doctor of the Church’, as Pope Paul VI called him. It also makes him ‘Doctor Humanitatis’, because he was always prompt and disposed to receive the human values of all cultures. The Angelic Doctor may well affirm, ‘Truth is strong in itself, and no assault weakens it’.
Truth, like Jesus Christ, may always be denied, persecuted, fought, wounded, martyred, crucified; but it always lives and rises again. It cannot be wrenched out of the human heart. St Thomas put all the power of his genius at the exclusive service of the truth. He seems to wish to disappear behind it, so that it, and not he, should shine forth in all its radiance.
The rule which he always followed, was the principle: ‘More assent must be given to the authority of the Church than to that of any Doctor.’
So, the truth propounded by the authority of the Church assisted by the Holy Spirit is the gauge of the truth expressed by all theologians and doctors, past, present and to come. The authority of the doctrine of Aquinas here, resolves and is made good in the authority of the doctrine of the Church. This is why the Church has set him up as exemplar and model for theological research.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp72-3
How should we seek the Lord?
The Angelic Doctor teaches: with our intelligence, the help of profound spiritual formation, a life of love and prayer. (cf John Paul II, “Discourse at the Pontifical Univ of St Thomas Aquinas”, 17 Nov 1979 ) We must obtain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Faith “with St Thomas as teacher”. (Second Vatican Council, “Optatam totius”, 16) His works act as streetlights on the most important questions in philosophy; and make it possible for us to better understand our faith. (cf Paul VI, Apostolic Letter, “Lumen Ecclesiae”, 20 November 1974)
The feast of this great saint should lead us to pray about our need for solid doctrinal and religious formation, an indispensable support for our life of faith. By studying and meditating upon the chief points of Catholic teaching we will be able to challenge the wave of religious ignorance.
Good doctrine that is well understood spares us from the mercy of our feelings or moods. A good start is by studying a reliable catechism of Christian doctrine.
St Thomas, while writing his “Summa contra Gentiles” wrote the ‘Ave, Maria’ on the margins of the text as a way to maintain presence of God. Whenever he tested his pen he would write it along with many other prayers. (cf St Thomas, “Summa contra Gentiles”, vol 13, Preface VIIIb)
All of his works serve to bring the soul closer to God. Similarly, he showed that if all human science were contained in a single book, we would want that book. So, too ought we to seek only Christ who holds all the treasures of wisdom and science. (cf idem, “Commentary on the Epistle to the Thess” 2,3,1) The doctrine we learn should lead us to love Christ more, to want to serve him with joy.
‘The piety of children and the doctrine of theologians’ was the goal set by St Josemaria Escrivá. A sound faith, built on sound doctrinal formation shows in a child-like life of piety. St Thomas taught that love leads to the knowledge of truth; (cf idem, “Commentary on St John”, 5, 6) and all knowledge is ordered to charity as its end. (cf “Commentary on St John”, 15, 2)
As we come to know God better, we should find ourselves making many acts of love to Him. As the mind concentrates on the little details of the moment, the heart has its focus on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This kind of doctrinal formation enables us to grasp the Holy Humanity of Our Lord, the Motherhood of Mary, the holiness of Saint Joseph, ‘our Father and Lord’, the helpful presence of the Guardian Angels, and the intentions of the holy souls in Purgatory.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:83-5
• “‘You are all fair, O Mary, without original sin!’ In her is not the slightest shadow of duplicity. ...” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 173)
• Our Lady of Good Succor, near Rome. This Image is very celebrated in the country. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good Succor. Near Rouen, France. ["This image is very celebrated in the country. (Ex archivis hujus ecclesiae.)"]; (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady Of Succor (near Rouen). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Good Succor, near Rouen, France (1613). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Nuestra Señora del Pueblo (1771). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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