Who was St. Thomas Aquinas?

Most likely you are aware that St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron of our wonderful university, but what do you really know about him? Here is a short summary of his life.

Thomas Aquinas was born in Italy in around 1225 to noble parents. When he was only 5 years old, his family sent him to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino to be educated for a career in the church. Thomas showed much promise as a student, and at 14 was sent to the University of Naples to continue his studies, where he continued to excel.

When Thomas was in his late teens, he joined the Dominican order, much to the chagrin of his family. Living the Dominican life of extreme poverty was not exactly what Thomas' wealthy parents had in mind when they hoped he would take a position in the church. After he joined the Dominicans, his mother actually went to Naples to retrieve him, but the Dominicans sent him to Rome to evade her. However, Thomas was not able to escape his family there. In Rome, he was captured by his brothers, who were soldiers in the imperial army. His family imprisoned him for nearly two years in an effort to break his ties to the Dominicans. In spite of all that his family did to dissuade him, Thomas professed his vows to the Dominican order after he was released. 

At age 20, he began to study under Albertus Magnus*, or Albert the Great, in Paris and continued later in Cologne. Contrary to the various images of Thomas found around campus, Thomas was a quiet and large-statured man. In fact he was often called a "dumb ox" by his fellow students. 
However, Thomas' mentor could see beyond his outward appearance and is quoted as having said, "We call this young man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world." If only he had known how prophetic his words were. It is said that Thomas could dictate several treatises to various scribes at once. Indeed, one scribe was not able to keep up with his "bellowing." He wrote 50 major works. The most famous of these is his "Summa Theologica" or "Summary of Theology," which in some editions is around 4,000 pages long! 

In 1272, Thomas was appointed head of the theology faculty at the University of Naples. In 1273, he had a vision and came to believe that all of his work was straw and ceased writing. Thus his famous "Summa" is unfinished.

In 1274, Thomas was called to the Second Council of Lyons by Pope Gregory X. He fell ill and died en route. Thomas was canonized on July 18, 1323, by Pope John XXII and was proclaimed a doctor of the church by Pope St. Pius V in 1567.

Thomas was one of the first in the Catholic tradition to teach of the complementarity of faith and reason; he believed that both are necessary in obtaining truth. He is the patron saint of universities, colleges, schools and students.

Decades' worth of alumni remember professors leading them in the Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas daily before class. Still today, many students still find strength in the prayer written by our patron:

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Grant, O Merciful God,
that I may ardently desire,
prudently examine,
truthfully acknowledge,
and perfectly accomplish
what is pleasing to Thee
for the praise and glory
of Thy name.

Amen

*An interesting side note: Until 2000, the John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts was named Albertus Magnus Hall. It was renamed in honor of Archbishop Roach after receiving a major renovation. The arches that connect the building to Aquinas Hall symbolized the relationship between St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas – the relationship between teacher and student.