Our culture nowadays tells us that science and religion cannot go together, but St. Thomas Aquinas believed that theology is the science or study of God. As we return to school, we can look to St. Thomas Aquinas to help guide us in our studies because he happens to be the patron saint of students! Thomas was born in Italy in 1225 to wealthy parents who wanted their son to become an Abbot or the head of a monastery. Yet, it was not meant to be as Thomas came across a Dominican preacher who inspired him to join the Order of Preachers. Thomas’ parents were not happy because Abbots have influence and status while the Dominicans were new and kind of unknown at the time. They placed Thomas under house arrest to change his mind, but Thomas knew God was calling him to be a Dominican so he remained faithful and was eventually able to escape.
While studying at university, Thomas was made fun of by his fellow classmates because he was quiet and rarely spoke. Thomas was also a big man so they called him a dumb ox. Despite that, Thomas went on to write his two greatest works: the Summa Theologiae (A Basic Summary of Catholic Theology) and the Summa Contra Gentiles (A Summary of Responses to Non-believers). The Summa Theologiae is St. Thomas’ most well known work and is divided into 5 volumes, but Thomas died before he could complete it. St. Thomas wrote a lot during his time on earth and it was even said that he would dictate to multiple scribes at once. This meant that while one scribe was writing what he said on one topic, he would turn to the next scribe to write about a different topic. One day while he was praying, Jesus asked Thomas, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?" Thomas replied, "Nothing but you, Lord." Thomas Aquinas died on March 07, 1274 and is considered one of the greatest thinkers in the Catholic Church.
Even if we don’t read all five volumes of the Summa Theologiae, we can still learn three things from the life of St. Thomas Aquinas:
God wants what is best for us. Thomas’ family was very wealthy and well known in Italy, which means that Thomas would have lived a comfortable life as an influential Abbot in a monastery. God had a different plan in calling Thomas to be a humble preacher and writer. As a Dominican, Thomas was able to use his God-given talents to the best of his ability and he was at peace with it. Oftentimes, what we have planned is not what God wants for us because He wants the best for us! Keeping a close relationship with God through prayer and the Sacraments helps us to grow deeper in Christ and know him more intimately.
God gives us what we need. Thomas’s classmates saw his quietness in class as a weakness and made fun of him for it, but Thomas realized it was a gift from God. He used his introverted nature to focus while thinking in an orderly and thoughtful manner. God gives each and every one of us unique gifts and talents that we can use to help others. Having a grateful attitude can help us to appreciate not only our gifts, but the gifts of other people. We can practice this by giving thanks to God everyday for our blessings and our struggles. How we use our talents is our gift to God.
God is at the center of our life. If you read the Summa Theologiae, you may notice that Thomas Aquinas has a unique way of writing where he lists the strongest arguments of his opponents first, then responds using secular sources and the Bible. St. Thomas believed that faith and reason were both necessary to know God. He would never compromise his Catholic beliefs, but would frequently refer to non-religious sources to make his arguments first because he was confident they would affirm the truth that is in God. In fact, St. Thomas often used the teachings of Aristotle and was credited to have improved it by demonstrating the philosophy from a Catholic point of view. Praying the Examen of Consciousness regularly helps us to become more aware of God in our daily life. If we take the time to do this, we can come to realize that God speaks to us through our words, our actions, other people, and even nature!
As you begin the school year, know that the S.E.E.D. leaders are always praying and here to support you! Below is the St. Thomas Aquinas prayer for students.
Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever.
Be awesome and blossom 🌱
By: anh Daniel
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