St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Feast Day: January 28
Canonization: July 18, 1323
Patron of academics, philosophers, booksellers, and scholars.
 

The Angelic Doctor’s influence on Western thought cannot be overstated. Much of modern philosophy evolved in support of or opposition to ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas, the humble 13th-century Dominican friar and father of Thomism, which says reason is found in God.

Among his many teachings, St. Thomas taught man’s spiritual renewal comes through the Holy Spirit, saying that as one comes to new and fuller knowledge of God, he is renewed in soul.

Thomas relatives who, appalled at his decision to forgo a promising career to join the Dominicans, attempted to surround him with great worldly temptations.

His best known work is the Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic teachings considered the chief classic in Christian philosophy and among the most influential works of Western literature.

He is said to have heard the Lord say, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have?” Thomas simply said, “Nothing but you, Lord.”

St. Thomas’ feast day is Jan. 28. Pope St. Pius V declared him a doctor of the Church in 1567.