ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

"Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not in hand." - St. Thomas Aquinas

In the last 8 years, my son studied in Aquinas School in San Juan. TODAY, we remember the life and works of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of Catholic universities and of scholars. In my stay here in Mexico, away from my family, away from the comforts of HOME, the quote above continues to keep my enthusiasm alive, though, sometime, I forget to show trust in the Lord. Let us continue to pray for each other. Continue to believe in things that we do not see, and hope that someday, God would provide things that He knows we need.

Let me share with you the life of this extra-ordinary saint, who together with St. Augustine, are my personal patron saints. Thanks for reading...
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St. Thomas was born in 1226 in Aquino, Italy, of noble parents. His father, Landulp was Count of Aquino and his mother was Countess of Teano. He was related to Emperors Henry VI and Frederick II and the Kings of Aragon, Castille, and France.

His early education was received from the Benedictines of Monte Casino where he surpassed all his fellow students in learning as well as in virtue. He went to the University of Naples for his higher education where he got attracted to Aristotleʼs philosophy.

At the age of 17 in spite of the opposition of his family who wanted him to become a Benedictine, Thomas joined the Dominicans of Naples and at the age of 19 received the Dominican habit. On his way to Paris, he was seized by his brothers and forced to go back home where he was made a prisoner in their castle of Rocca-Secca. His brother even brought a woman to his cell in an attempt to trap him into sin. But all his efforts were in vain; no one could shake Thomas in his vocation.

On December 6, 1273, while saying Mass, he experienced an extraordinary ecstasy. That day, laid aside his pen. Urged by Father Reginald to continue his writing, Thomas said: "I can do no more. Such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value." He had only completed the ninetieth question of the third part of the Summa Theologiae.

St. Thomas died on March 7, 1274, at Fossa-Nuova, on his way to the General Council of Lyons. He was canonized on July 18, 1323, by Pope John Paul XXII and was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church by St. Pius V in 1567.

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, let us be enlightened by his teachings. Let us remember one of his sayings: "Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not in hand."