Thomas Aquinas

About Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican friar and the greatest medieval theologian, called the "Angelic Doctor." Born to Italian nobility, Thomas joined the Dominicans despite family opposition (they imprisoned him for a year). He studied under Albert the Great in Paris and Cologne. Thomas's "Summa Theologiae" and "Summa Contra Gentiles" synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, creating a comprehensive theological system. His Five Ways to prove God's existence, doctrines of virtue, sacraments, and grace profoundly influenced Catholic theology. Thomas combined brilliant intellect with deep mystical prayer. Near life's end, after a mystical experience, he stopped writing, saying his work was "like straw" compared to what he'd seen. He died in 1274 traveling to the Council of Lyon. Canonized 1323, declared Doctor of the Church 1567.