Birthplace: Italy
Date of Birth and Death: 1225 - 1274
Feast Day: January 28th

Notable: Patron of Catholic Schools and Students

Life:
St. Thomas Aquinas was born in southern Italy around 1225. He was of noble descent and educated at the best schools. At the University of Naples, he showed exceptional ability in speech and logic. Influenced by the Dominicans, he entered the religious life under the disapproval of his family who did not want him to become a poor friar. They even sought to kidnap him and under their power make him revert to former secular life but his virtues proved to much stronger than any temptation laid before him. During his confinement, he studied greatly on religion and philosophy.

Gaining his freedom from his family, St. Thomas went to Cologne and then to Paris to study theology. By now he had gained a reputation as a powerful speaker. It is through his preaching and writings, though, that he gain his renown demonstrating that faith and reason could abide together. It was his Summa Theologica, a key treatise, that helped fashion the theological language of the Catholic Church.

Prayer:

God our Father, You made Thomas Aquinas
known for his holiness and learning
Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching
And in holiness by imitating his faith
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son Who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit
One God, for ever and ever. Amen.