Story of Saint Thomas Aquinas | Stories of Saints
Summary
TLDRThe video script celebrates Saint Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian renowned for harmonizing Catholic faith with philosophy and knowledge. Born in Italy, he joined the Dominicans against his family's wishes, endured trials, and became a revered teacher and writer. Aquinas' scholasticism, advocating the coexistence of faith and reason, influenced medieval thought profoundly. His 'Five Ways' to prove God's existence and contributions to theology and ethics left a lasting impact, with his works, including 'Summa Theologiae,' still studied today. The video also highlights his mystical experiences and untimely death, reflecting his enduring legacy as the 'Universal Teacher.'
Takeaways
- đ Saint Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian, showed the Catholic faith's harmony with philosophy and other knowledge.
- đ° Born around 1225 in Roca Secca, Italy, Thomas was the son of Landolf, Count of Aquino, and Theodora, a countess.
- đź A holy hermit predicted Thomas would join the Friars Preachers and achieve great sanctity.
- đšâđ©âđ§âđŠ Thomas, the youngest of nine siblings, was sent to the Abbey of Monte Cassino at age five for education.
- đ He began theological studies at the University of Naples in 1239, influenced by Aristotle, Avicenna, and Maimonides.
- âïž Thomas joined the Dominican Order, which focused on preaching and teaching, despite his family's objections.
- đ„ Thomas resisted a family attempt to sway him from his religious path, even driving away a prostitute sent to tempt him.
- đ Under Saint Albert the Great, Thomas earned his doctorate in theology and was nicknamed 'the Dumb Ox' for his quiet nature.
- đ Thomas combined traditional theology with modern philosophy, promoting the harmony of faith and reason, known as scholasticism.
- đ In 1273, Thomas experienced a divine vision and ceased writing, stating that all his work seemed like straw compared to what he had seen.
Q & A
Who is Saint Thomas Aquinas and what is his significance in the Roman Catholic Church?
-Saint Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century theologian celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church for showing that the Catholic faith is in harmony with philosophy and all other branches of knowledge.
When and where was Saint Thomas Aquinas born?
-Saint Thomas Aquinas was born circa 1225 in Roca Seca, Italy, near Aquino Terra di Lavoro in the Kingdom of Sicily.
What was the prediction made by a holy hermit to Saint Thomas Aquinas' mother before his birth?
-The holy hermit foretold that Saint Thomas Aquinas would enter the Order of Friar Preachers, become a great scholar, and achieve unequaled sanctity.
At what age was Saint Thomas Aquinas sent to the Abbey of Monte Casino and why?
-He was sent to the Abbey of Monte Casino at the age of five to train among Benedictine monks, following the tradition of the period.
Why did Saint Thomas Aquinas have to leave the Abbey of Monte Casino?
-He had to leave the Abbey of Monte Casino at the age of 13 due to the changing political climate that forced him to return to Naples.
What philosophical influences did Saint Thomas Aquinas encounter at the University of Naples?
-At the University of Naples, Saint Thomas Aquinas was introduced to the philosophical influences of Aristotle, Averroes, and Maimonides.
Why did Saint Thomas Aquinas' family initially disapprove of his decision to join the Order of Preachers?
-His parents were not pleased with his decision to join the Order of Preachers, which was a new evangelical movement, and they tried to dissuade him from this path.
What significant event occurred during Saint Thomas Aquinas' house arrest that demonstrated his commitment to celibacy?
-When a prostitute was sent into his room by his family to test his resolve, Saint Thomas Aquinas drove her off with a fire iron and traced a black cross on the door, showing his commitment to celibacy.
What did Saint Thomas Aquinas achieve under the tutelage of Saint Albert the Great at the University of Paris?
-Under the guidance of Saint Albert the Great, Saint Thomas Aquinas earned his doctorate in theology and later became a renowned teacher and theologian.
What is the significance of Scholasticism in Saint Thomas Aquinas' work and how did he contribute to it?
-Scholasticism is a theory that integrates faith and reason, and Saint Thomas Aquinas popularized this theory through his work, arguing that both kinds of knowledge come from God.
What are the five ways Saint Thomas Aquinas believed one could prove the existence of God?
-Saint Thomas Aquinas proposed five ways to prove the existence of God, including understanding cause and effect, the necessity of a first mover, the existence of contingent beings, the gradation of perfection, and the teleological argument.
Why did Saint Thomas Aquinas stop writing after his experience in 1273?
-After a profound spiritual experience in which Christ told him he had written well, Saint Thomas Aquinas felt that all his previous writings were insignificant, and he refused to write anymore.
How did Saint Thomas Aquinas pass away and when?
-Saint Thomas Aquinas fell ill at the Cistercian monastery of Fossanova, Italy, and passed away on March 7, 1274.
Why was Saint Thomas Aquinas' feast day changed from March 7th to January 28th?
-His original feast day, March 7th, often fell within the Lenten season. In 1969, a revision of the Roman calendar moved his feast day to January 28th to avoid this conflict.
What impact did Saint Thomas Aquinas' aesthetic theories have on later literary figures?
-Saint Thomas Aquinas' aesthetic theories, such as the concept of claritas, deeply influenced the literary writings of James Joyce and Italian semiotician Umberto Eco.
Outlines
đ Life and Early Education of Saint Thomas Aquinas
This paragraph introduces Saint Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian renowned for harmonizing Catholic faith with philosophy and knowledge. Born in Italy around 1225, Thomas was the youngest of nine children in a noble family with royal lineage. At the age of five, he began his education at the Abbey of Monte Casino with Benedictine monks. Political unrest led to his relocation to Naples at the age of 13. Thomas commenced his theological studies at the University of Naples in 1239, where he was influenced by Aristotle, Averroes, and Maimonides. His encounter with Dominican preacher John of Saint Julian led to his joining the Order of Preachers, despite his family's disapproval. Thomas's commitment to the Dominicans was tested but ultimately affirmed through a series of trials, including a house arrest and a visit from a prostitute, which he repelled, solidifying his vow of celibacy. He later studied at the University of Paris under the guidance of the scholar Albertus Magnus, earning his doctorate in theology. Despite initial skepticism from his peers, Thomas's brilliance was recognized by Albertus, who foresaw his significant impact on doctrine.
đ Theological Contributions and Influence of Saint Thomas Aquinas
In this paragraph, Thomas Aquinas's journey as a priest and theologian is detailed. Ordained in the middle of the century, he was known for his reverence for liturgy and his skills as a homilist. His works addressed the intellectual struggles of the medieval era, blending theology with philosophy, a movement known as scholasticism. Thomas proposed that faith and reason could coexist, as both were divine gifts. He famously outlined five ways to prove God's existence, emphasizing cause and effect, movement, and human intelligence as evidence of God's omnipotence. His belief in moral and legal adherence for heavenly admission was influential among his followers. Thomas authored significant works such as 'Summa Theologiae' and 'De Aeternitate Mundi,' and he established a university in Naples, serving as a regent master. In 1273, he is said to have had a profound spiritual experience, after which he ceased writing, considering his work insignificant compared to divine revelation. His health declined in 1274 during a journey to France, and he passed away at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nova on March 7. His feast day was moved to January 28 to avoid the Lenten season. Thomas Aquinas's writings continue to be relevant, influencing literary figures like James Joyce and Umberto Eco, and he is often depicted with an open book or quill, symbolizing his scholarly legacy.
đ” Musical Interlude
This paragraph is a placeholder for a musical interlude, providing a break in the narrative without any specific content to summarize. It serves as an auditory transition between the sections of the video script.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄSaint Thomas Aquinas
đĄRoman Catholic Church
đĄTheology
đĄPhilosophy
đĄScholasticism
đĄOrder of Friar's Preachers
đĄUniversity of Naples
đĄSaint Albert the Great
đĄSumma Theologiae
đĄCistercian Monastery of Fossa Nova
đĄClaritas
Highlights
Saint Thomas Aquinas is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church for showing harmony between Catholic faith and philosophy.
Born in 1225, Thomas Aquinas came from a noble lineage, including relatives who were emperors.
A holy hermit predicted Thomas would join the Order of Friars Preachers and achieve sanctity.
Thomas Aquinas was sent to the Abbey of Monte Casino at the age of five for training among Benedictine monks.
Political climate forced Thomas to return to Naples at the age of 13.
Thomas began theological studies at the University of Naples in 1239, where he was influenced by Aristotle, Averroes, and Maimonides.
He joined the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, emphasizing preaching and teaching.
Thomas's family initially disapproved of his decision to join the Dominicans, leading to house arrest.
A story tells of Thomas driving off a prostitute with a fire iron, showing his commitment to celibacy.
Thomas earned his doctorate in theology under the guidance of Saint Albert the Great.
Initially thought of as dimwitted, Thomas's brilliance was recognized by Saint Albert the Great.
Thomas Aquinas taught alongside his mentor at the University of Cologne by the age of 23.
Thomas devoted his life to writing, teaching, public speaking, and preaching.
He was ordained a priest, showing reverence for the liturgy and skill as a homilist.
Thomas's theories, known as Scholasticism, argued that faith and reason could coexist.
He proposed five ways to prove God's existence, including understanding cause and effect and movement originating from God.
Thomas believed in the power of God and the importance of moral and government laws for earning heaven.
Thomas Aquinas was influential during his life and for centuries after his death.
He wrote his most famous works, 'Summa Theologiae' and 'De Veritate', establishing the University of Naples.
In 1273, Thomas had a profound spiritual experience, after which he stopped writing, considering his work as 'straw'.
Thomas Aquinas died on March 7, 1274, and is known as the Universal Teacher.
His feast day was moved to January 28th due to its proximity to Lent.
Thomas Aquinas's writings continue to be debated and have influenced literary figures like James Joyce and Umberto Eco.
Transcripts
[Music]
saints
[Music]
on january 28th the roman catholic
church celebrates saint thomas aquinas
the 13th century theologian who showed
the catholic faith is in harmony with
philosophy and all other branches of
knowledge
the son of landolf count of aquino saint
thomas aquinas was born circa 1225 in
roca seca italy near aquino terra di
lavoro in the kingdom of sicily
his mother theodora was a countess of
tejano
thomas's family members were descendants
of emperors frederick the first and
henry vi
before saint thomas aquinas was born a
holy hermit shared a prediction with his
mother
foretelling that her son would enter the
order of friar's preachers become a
great learner and achieve unequaled
sanctity
thomas had eight siblings and he was the
youngest child
following the tradition of the period
saint thomas aquinas was sent to the
abbey of monte casino to train among
benedictine monks when he was just five
years old
saint thomas aquinas remained at the
monastery until he was 13 years old when
the political climate forced him to
return to naples
[Music]
thomas began his theological studies at
the university of naples in the fall of
1239
it is believed that thomas was
introduced to his philosophical
influences
aristotle avaros and maimonides at the
university
where he also met john of saint julian a
dominican preacher who influenced him
greatly
thomas soon joined a new religious order
known as the order of preachers or the
dominicans after their founder saint
dominic de guzman an order which placed
an emphasis on preaching and teaching
thomas's parents were none too pleased
with his decision to join this new
evangelical movement
in order to talk some sense into him
thomas's mother sent his brothers to
bring him to the family
having resisted his family's wishes he
was placed under house arrest
a famous story has it that one day his
family members sent a prostitute into
the room where thomas was being held
prisoner
but thomas drove her off with a fire
iron
as the door slammed shut behind her he
traced a black cross on the door
that night two angels appeared to him in
a dream and strengthened his resolve to
remain celibate
eventually thomas's mother relented and
he returned to the dominicans in the
fall
thomas went to study at the faculty of
the arts at the university of paris
where he is believed to have met
dominican scholar albertus mangus the
chair of theology who was later
canonized as a saint by the church
under the tutelage of saint albert the
great thomas subsequently earned his
doctorate in theology
thomas was quiet and seldom spoke at the
university leading other students to
believe he was dimwitted
they started calling him the dumb ox
after reading thomas's thesis and
thinking it was brilliant his professor
saint albert the great proclaimed
we call this young man a dumb ox
but his bellowing in doctrine will one
day resound throughout the world
by the time he was 23 thomas was
teaching alongside his mentor at the
university of cologne
after completing his education saint
thomas aquinas devoted himself to a life
of traveling writing
teaching public speaking and preaching
around the middle of the century thomas
was ordained to the priesthood in which
he showed great reverence for the
liturgy and skill as a homilist
religious institutions and universities
alike yearned to benefit from the wisdom
of the christian apostle
combining traditional principles of
theology with modern philosophic thought
thomas's treaties touched upon the
questions and struggles of medieval
intellectuals church authorities and
everyday people alike
thomas believed that people could have
both faith and reason and said that both
kinds of knowledge came from god so it
was all right to have both
this theory is called scholasticism and
his work popularized this theory
he believed that people could prove that
god existed in five ways
including understanding that cause and
effect was all under god's control
all movement in the world came from god
and that human intelligence was a gift
from god
he also believed that god was
all-powerful and that people could earn
admission into heaven by abiding to
moral and government laws
he had lots of followers and people who
agreed with him so he was very
influential both while he was alive and
for centuries after his death
thomas continued to teach and write till
1272
and it was during this time that he
wrote his most famous works summa
theology and divertudibus and d
eternitate mundi he later established
the university in naples and took the
regent master post
[Music]
in 1273 thomas was seen by the secristen
to be crying and levitating in prayer
before an icon of the crucified christ
at the dominican convent of naples in
the chapel of saint nicholas
during this prayer christ is said to
have told him
you have written well of me thomas
what reward would you have for your
labor
thomas replied nothing but you lord
following this exchange something
happened but thomas never wrote or spoke
of it
thomas refused to write anymore
when begged to return to work he replied
i cannot
because all that i have written seems
like straw to me
in january 1274
saint thomas aquinas embarked on a trip
to lyon france on foot to serve on the
second council but he never made it to
his destination
along the way he fell ill at the
cistercian monastery of fossa nova italy
the monks wanted saint thomas aquinas to
stay at the castle
but sensing that his death was near
thomas preferred to remain at the
monastery saying if the lord wishes to
take me away it is better that i be
found in a religious house than in the
dwelling of a layperson
often called the universal teacher
saint thomas aquinas died at the
monastery of fossenova on march 7
1274.
his original feast day was march 7th the
day of his death but because the date
often falls within lent in 1969
a revision of the roman calendar changed
his feast day to january 28th
saint thomas's comments and
philosophical writings are still debated
today
and his aesthetic theories such as the
concept of claritas deeply influenced
the literary writings of james joyce and
italian semiotician umberto echo
st thomas is often depicted with an open
book or writing with a quill
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[Music]
saints
[Music]
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