Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Teachers
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Priest and Doctor of the Church († 1274) Feast: January 28
Since his death, Saint Thomas Aquinas has been highly regarded as a theologian, philosopher, saint, and Doctor of the Church. Scholars have been unpacking the ramifications of his writings for seven centuries. But one of his foremost tasks as a Dominican friar was teaching.
Born into a wealthy, noble family in Aquino, Italy, Thomas was expected to become a soldier or a monk, not a member of a begging order like the Dominicans. Being kidnapped by his own family failed to shake his resolve to be a friar. After his university graduation, Thomas’ superiors quickly assigned the brilliant young man to serve as a teacher.
Many of Thomas’ famous works were written for the classroom. For example, some are records of his lectures about books of the Bible. He showed his students how he approached theological and philosophical questions so they could do the same in their own studies. Thomas is particularly famous for his ability to charitably present the best explanations for all sides of a disputed issue, even those positions with which he ultimately disagreed. Both for the conclusions he reached and for the way he approached theological and philosophical arguments, Saint Thomas Aquinas has been considered a master teacher for all to emulate through the ages.
Almighty Father, help us to argue our beliefs with charity, as did Saint Thomas Aquinas.
