Chapter I THOMAS AQUINAS & TRUTH

Let us begin our study of the dignity of the human person by taking a close look at the man responsible for expressing the traditional teaching of the nature of the human person. In doing so, we will be following in the footsteps of Saint John Paul. He was well grounded in Thomism. In fact, he drew much of his understanding of the human person from the work of St. Thomas.

Vocabulary

Dominicansubjectivephilosophy truth objective revelation

WHO IS ST. THOMAS AQUINAS?

Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in 1224 or 1225 at Roccasecca, the castle of his father, Count Landulf of Aquino, in Italy. He was the youngest son in a family of nine children. After spending his first five years at home under the care of his mother and nurse, Thomas was sent to study at the Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino. His parents hoped he would one day become abbot there. Thomas was known to have a sharp intelligence and a remarkable memory. He memorized the Psalms, the Gospels, and the Epistles of Paul, and translated the Fathers of the Church, the sermons of St. Gregory, the letters of St. Jerome, and excerpts from the writings of St. Augustine - all by the age of 13!

At the age of 15, Thomas was sent to the University of Naples to continue his studies. It was during his studies at Naples that he was introduced to the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle. Thomas also came into contact with the newly established religious order, the Dominicans. Because he understood that God was calling him to join them, he abandoned the plans his family had for him. Despite the objections of his mother (his father had already died), Thomas offered himself at the priory of St. Dominic in Naples and received the Dominican habit at the age of 19.

Notes

Benedictine - The religious order of both men and women following the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia, which began in the first half of the sixth century. Their Rule of life emphasizes obedience to superiors, the importance of the balance between liturgical prayer and manual labor, and the value of community life. The Benedictine Rule is the foundation for monasticism in the Western Church.

Fathers of the Church - Title given to writers of the early Church who were notable for their correct teaching, and who by their writing, preaching, and holy lives defended the Faith.

Dominicans - Members of the Order founded by St. Dominic de Guzman in the 13th Century for the special purpose of preaching and teaching. It is formally known as the Order of Preachers.

Priory - The houses of monastic orders that are governed by religious superiors who are called “priors” or “prioresses.”

Novitiate - the period of formation and testing of those desiring to enter a religious community.

Doctor of Theology - an accomplished teacher of theology.

The Dominicans, aware of the possibility of encountering trouble with the Aquino family, attempted to rush Thomas to Rome and then on to Bologna. Thomas' mother, however, had her other sons capture Thomas on the way and force him to return home. Ayear later, realizing that it was impossible to change Thomas' mind, she relented and set him free.

Upon Thomas' release, the Dominicans sent him to Paris for his novitiate and further studies. From the ages of 23-27, Thomas studied in Cologne, Germany, under the Dominican scholar, St. Albert the Great. At the age of 26, he was ordained a priest. After completing his studies in Cologne, Thomas returned to Paris to complete his theological education, becoming a Doctorof Theology at the age of 31. During these years of study at Paris, Thomas composed his first major work: a commentary on the texts of the Fathers of the Church compiled by Peter the Lombard.

“You call him a Dumb Ox; I tell you that the Dumb Ox will bellow so loud that his bellowing will fill the world.” St. Albert the Great (commenting on the nickname given to Thomas by some of his classmates because of his size and his quiet disposition)

-- G.K. Chesterton, St. Thomas Aquinas

Thomas remained at the University of Paris three more years. As a professor of theology, he lectured on the Bible and held public debates on theological topics. He was known for entering into discussion in a charitable and humble manner with people who disagreed with him. In fact, Thomas was often able to present his opponents' arguments more clearly and convincingly than they themselves could do. He was able to do this because he loved the truth and was willing to embrace it wherever he found it. Presenting his opponents' positions as clearly as possible aided him in determining to what extent their views were true.

Summa Theologiae - This Latin title means a “Summary of Theology.” This best known work of St. Thomas was intended as a manual for those beginning to study theology in St. Thomas’ day.

When he was 34-years-old, Thomas returned to Italy as professor of theology in the Dominican houses of study. Six years later he was asked to open a new house of study for Dominicans in Rome, and he taught there for two years. It was during this time that Thomas began to write his most important work, a new textbook of theology, entitled the Summa Theologiae.

Holy See - Term for the central government of the Catholic Church. The word “see” comes from the Latin sedes, “chair.” The chair was an ancient symbol of authority.

After serving as professor for a year at the court of Pope Clement IV, Thomas returned to the University of Paris for another three years of teaching. In addition to his academic responsibilities of lecturing on the Bible and conducting public debates, Thomas continued writing his Summa Theologiae. He also began to compose commentaries on many of Aristotle's works. Throughout the last 15 years of his life, Thomas was in constant contact with cardinals and popes, serving as a theologian for the Holy See.

At the age of 47, Thomas returned to Naples, Italy, and continued his work at the Dominican house of studies. The two small rooms in which he worked and slept are there today, adjoining the Dominican