Saint Thomas Aquinas, born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, was a medieval Catholic theologian and philosopher.¹⁾

Aquinas belonged to a noble family and received his education at the University of Naples.²⁾

He was commonly referred to as “Doctor Angelicus” (the Angelic Doctor) due to his profound and angelic understanding of theology and philosophy.³⁾

Aquinas was a member of the Dominican Order, a religious order known for its commitment to preaching, teaching, and scholarship.⁴⁾

His most significant work is “Summa Theologica,” a comprehensive theological treatise that covers a wide range of topics, including ethics, metaphysics, and the nature of God.⁵⁾

Aquinas was heavily influenced by the works of Aristotle, and he sought to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology.⁶⁾

One of his key contributions was the development of the “Thomistic synthesis,” a harmonious integration of reason and faith, philosophy and theology.⁷⁾

He believed that reason and faith are not in conflict but complement each other, with reason helping to deepen the understanding of faith.⁸⁾

Aquinas was canonized as a saint by Pope John XXII in 1323, and he was also declared a Doctor of the Church.⁹⁾

His feast day is celebrated on January 28th, the anniversary of his death in 1274.¹⁰⁾

Aquinas wrote several commentaries on Aristotle's works, helping to reintroduce Aristotelian thought to the Western world.¹¹⁾

Despite his dedication to intellectual pursuits, Aquinas had mystical experiences. He once had a vision that made him consider his writings as “straw” compared to the divine knowledge he experienced.¹²⁾

Aquinas' family strongly opposed his decision to join the Dominican Order, leading to his temporary imprisonment by his own family.¹³⁾

He studied under Albertus Magnus, another influential medieval philosopher and theologian, who recognized Aquinas's brilliance.¹⁴⁾

Aquinas believed in the concept of “natural law,” asserting that moral principles are inherent in the natural order and can be understood through reason.¹⁵⁾