As a student, St. Thomas Aquinas was called by his classmates the Dumb Ox, both because of his size and because he didn’t talk very much during class. His teacher, who later became known as St. Albert the Great, is said to have responded to Thomas’s classmates by saying, “You call him the Dumb Ox; I tell you that this Dumb Ox shall bellow so loud that his bellowings will fill the world!” (Listen to the rest of that story here!)
Tomorrow, January 28, the Church remembers St. Thomas as the Angelic Doctor, a prolific writer whose systematic presentation of theology is one of the most profound works in Church history. He wrote songs still used during some of the Church’s most important liturgies, borne out of his love for the Heart of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
God is calling us all to be great saints. No matter where we’re at in our journey of restoration, He is making something new. He wants to use us–to use our journeys, struggles, and joys–to make something beautiful.
Here are some of our favorite quotes from our friend and brother, St. Thomas Aquinas:
For even as it is better to enlighten than merely to shine, so is it better to give to others the fruits of one’s contemplation than merely to contemplate.”
(Summa Theologica II-II, 188, 6)
“Hidden God, devoutly I adore Thee, truly present underneath these veils: all my heart subdues itself before Thee, since it all before Thee faints and fails.”
“Adoro Te Devote”
Near the end of his life, St. Thomas was found praying before a crucifix, and Christ said to him, “You have written well of me, Thomas. What do you want as your reward?” To which St. Thomas replied,
“Nothing but You, Lord.”
st thomas aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
Further Resources: Check out the great Pints With Aquinas podcast by Matt Fradd
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