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⁾

He addressed the existence of God through his famous “Five Ways,” five philosophical arguments that aim to prove the existence of God based on reason and observation.¹⁶⁾

Aquinas was a prolific writer, producing numerous philosophical and theological works during his lifetime.¹⁷⁾

His writings were not only influential in Catholic theology but also had a significant impact on the development of Western philosophy.¹⁸⁾

Aquinas's teachings have been embraced by both Catholic and non-Catholic scholars, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated in academic circles.¹⁹⁾

He defended the compatibility of faith and reason, asserting that both are essential for a complete understanding of truth.²⁰⁾

Aquinas argued for the immortality of the soul, asserting that the intellect survives beyond bodily death.²¹⁾

He wrote extensively on ethics, emphasizing the importance of virtues and moral character in leading a good life.²²⁾

Pope Leo XIII praised Aquinas's teachings in his encyclical “Aeterni Patris,” encouraging the study of Thomistic philosophy in Catholic education.²³⁾

Aquinas contributed significantly to the development of the doctrine of transubstantiation, explaining the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.²⁴⁾

His writings on the sacraments and the Church's liturgy have had a lasting impact on Catholic theology and practice.²⁵⁾

Aquinas engaged in theological debates of his time, including discussions with other scholars on topics like the Immaculate Conception.²⁶⁾

He wrote a series of “Quaestiones Disputatae,” addressing various theological and philosophical questions in a systematic manner.²⁷⁾

Aquinas's teachings on just war theory have influenced discussions on the ethics of warfare and conflict resolution.²⁸⁾

The city of Naples requested Aquinas to establish a university, but he declined, choosing to focus on his scholarly pursuits.²⁹⁾

Pope Pius V named Aquinas a patron saint of Catholic universities, colleges, and schools in 1567.³⁰⁾