St. Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas was born near Naples, Italy around 1225. While studying at the University of Naples, he decided to become a Dominican. The order, founded by Saint Dominic, was not yet thirty years old, and Thomas' family did not approve of his entering. They actually kidnapped him in order to prevent his joining the order. Eventually, however, they relented. From that point on, Thomas' energies were devoted to teaching, explaining and defending the Catholic faith. His writings were masterly, and his systematic treatises of theology showed great originality. His most famous work is the "Summa Theologica." In 1274, while on his way to the Council of Lyons, Thomas died at the Cistercian Abbey of Fossanana. He was canonized in 1323, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1567. Pope Leo XIII named him the Patron of all Catholic schools, and his teachings have come to occupy a unique position in the education of seminarians. Thomas' feast day is January 28.