Story of Saint Thomas Aquinas | Stories of Saints

Summary

The 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

• 📜 Saint Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century theologian, showed the Catholic faith's harmony with philosophy and other knowledge.
• 🏰 Born around 1225 in Roca Secca, Italy, Thomas was the son of Landolf, Count of Aquino, and Theodora, a countess.
• 🔮 A holy hermit predicted Thomas would join the Friars Preachers and achieve great sanctity.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thomas, the youngest of nine siblings, was sent to the Abbey of Monte Cassino at age five for education.
• 🎓 He began theological studies at the University of Naples in 1239, influenced by Aristotle, Avicenna, and Maimonides.
• ✝️ Thomas joined the Dominican Order, which focused on preaching and teaching, despite his family's objections.
• 🔥 Thomas resisted a family attempt to sway him from his religious path, even driving away a prostitute sent to tempt him.
• 🎓 Under Saint Albert the Great, Thomas earned his doctorate in theology and was nicknamed 'the Dumb Ox' for his quiet nature.
• 📚 Thomas combined traditional theology with modern philosophy, promoting the harmony of faith and reason, known as scholasticism.
• 🙏 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.