Saint Thomas Aquinas
Feast Day: March 7
Patron Saint of all Catholic schools-primary, secondary and universities, by Pope Leo XIII..
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Born of Noble German parentage, and a doctor of the Church in the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas studied at the University of Naples prior to entering the Dominican Order. His family being opposed to this, had him imprisoned, but Thomas was released by the German Emperor, Frederic II. He subsequently taught at Cologne, Bologna and Paris, and his writings fill twenty volumes. As a philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas' greatest contribution was his use of the works of Aristotle to build up an ordered and rational system of Christian Doctrine. The most important of his books were the Summa Theologica and the Summa contra Gentiles. Together they form the most complete and exact exposition of Catholic dogma yet given to the world. Saint Thomas died in 1274, and was canonized by Pope John XXII in 1323.
Prayer
Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas, prince of theologians and model of philosophers, bright ornament of the Christian world, light of the Church and patron of all Catholic schools, who didst learn wisdom without guile and dost communicate it without envy, pray for us to the Son of God who is Wisdom itself, that, by the coming of the Spirit of Wisdom upon us, we may clearly understand that which thou didst teach, and , by imitating thee, may bring to completion that which thou didst do; that we may be made partakers both of thy doctrine and thy holiness, whereby thou didst shine on earth even as the sun; and finally that we may enjoy with thee in heaven for evermore the most delectable fruits of the same, praising together with thee divine Wisdom through endless ages. Amen
An indulgence of 300 days, once a day. A plenary indulgence once a month, on the usual conditions, when this prayer is said daily with devotion (S.C. Ind., July 3, 1885; S.P. Ap., Nov 8, 1933)>
