(c.1225-1274) Born in the family castle in Aquino, Italy, the Angelic Doctor was educated by Benedictines as well as at the University of Naples. He secretly joined the newly formed Dominicans when he was around 19 years old, and upon discovery of this, his family kidnapped and imprisoned him. However, they were ultimately unable to sway his resolve to enter religious life. Thomas studied in Paris and Cologne under Saint Albert the Great, and then taught in Paris and several Italian cities. He was a leader in the Scholastic movement and wrote an enormous volume of books. In 1273, when he was around 48 years old, Thomas abandoned writing his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica, after having a mystical experience of God. He died four months later en route to the Council of Lyons.
All of the knowledge of one of the greatest human geniuses to ever live seemed like straw compared to a single mystical experience of God. Do you set a priority on prayer over learning?
“We can’t have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves” (Saint Thomas Aquinas).
Reflection by Brad Farmer