Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Thomas Aquinas The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Universities and Students
- Born c.1225 at Aquino, Naples, Italy
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: 28th January
- Date of Death: Saint Thomas Aquinas died on 7 March 1274 at Fossanova Abbey, Lazio, Italy
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Who or what is Saint Thomas Aquinas the patron saint of? Saint Thomas Aquinas is the patron of Universities and Students. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. Prayer of St Thomas Aquinas Prayer to Saint Thomas Aquinas The Story and History of Saint Thomas Aquinas The story and history of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Thomas Aquinas was born c.1225 at the castle of his father, Count Landulph, in Aquino, Naples, Italy. As the son of a wealthy noble family Thomas lived a life of privilege and received an excellent education first studying at a Benedictine monastery and then at the University of Naples. Thomas Aquinas was destined for a life in the Church and his father's brother, Sinibald was already the abbot of a Benedictine monastery. Whilst at University Thomas Aquinas became strongly influenced by the newer Dominican movement and wanted to follow the Dominican rule. His traditional family strongly objected but eventually Thomas Aquinas, through the intervention of Pope Innocent IV, followed his chosen path. Thomas Aquinas became a Doctor of Theology lecturing on theology in major cities including Rome and Paris and his fame as a scholar led to his distinction of being the Patron Saint of Students and Universities. Death of Saint Thomas Aquinas There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Thomas Aquinas died in A.D. 1274. Cause of Death: Natural Causes. Why is Saint Thomas Aquinas the patron of Universities and Students? Why is Saint Thomas Aquinas is the patron of Universities and Students? Because he is considered by many Catholics to be the Catholic Church's greatest theologian and philosopher. How Saint Thomas Aquinas is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Thomas Aquinas in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Thomas Aquinas is represented in Christian Art with a large open book or books on his knees and a sun on his breast, because he was a distinguished theologian and luminary of the Church. Sometimes a human eye appears within the sun, in allusion to his far-seeing wisdom, inasmuch as he composed the Office of the Sacrament, which is still in use. The Sacramental cup is generally in evidence. As a Dominican, he wears the habit of his order.
Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas The Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas is 28th January. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. |