St. Thomas Aquinas was born circa 1225 in
the region around Naples. He was born to an influential family, one
of the youngest of some nine children. At the age of five he went to live and study
at the nearby Benedictine Monastery of Montecassino. Then at the age of 16, he enrolled in the University
of Naples to pursue a course of liberal arts. There, he met a recently founded religious
community, the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, and he resolved to join their ranks. After overcoming his family's objections to
his entry, they had plans for him to become an influential abbot, St. Thomas took the
friar's habit and continued to pursue his studies in Paris and Cologne for another 11
years. He actually spends part of that time as a
student of St. Albert the Great, another leading light of the Middle Ages. In 1256, St. Thomas was fully accredited as
a theologian and began his career as a teacher. He served in a variety of European universities,
in the Papal Curia, and in the convents of his own order. So he spent time in Cologne, in Naples, in
Orvieto, in Rome, and in Paris. St. Thomas's holiness is hidden but beautiful. When grappling with vexing theological questions
about the Eucharist, he was known to rest his head on the tabernacle in supplication. On another occasion, the Lord appeared to
him to commend him for his work saying, "Well you have written of me, Thomas. What would you have in return?" St. Thomas is said to have responded, "Nothing
but thy self, O Lord. Nothing but thyself." St. Thomas labored generously throughout his
life, but his days ended in a peculiar silence. On December 6th, 1273, he had a mystical experience
that led him to set down his pens. When asked why, he responded, "Compared to
what I have seen, everything I have written is as so much straw." St. Thomas died on March 7th, 1274 while on
a journey in service of the universal church. He was canonized in 1323 in recognition of
his life of great learning and sanctity. St. Thomas is especially well known and remembered
for the wisdom which he demonstrated in his philosophical and theological works. His intellectual legacy has enriched the church
almost beyond compare. St. Thomas is also remembered for purity and
chastity, which he possessed to perfection. He is said to have preserved a kind of cherubic
innocence throughout his life. St. Thomas is regarded as the common doctor
of the church, a safe and sure guide, as one who gives most eloquent expression to the
church's faith and teaching. For readings, podcasts, and more videos like
this, go to Aquinas101.com. While you're there, be sure to sign up for
one of our free video courses on Aquinas. And don't forget to like and share with your
friends, because it matters what you think.
Fr Fregory Pine is great. Love this channel and love that this came up in this sub :)