Who was St. Thomas Aquinas?

A Shining Mind in the Dazzling 13th Century

St. Thomas Aquinas stood at the heart of the 13th century, an era when the grand cathedrals of Cologne and Amiens first stretched towards the heavens and literary masterpieces like the Divine Comedy and the Summa Theologiae were being crafted. This was a period rich in intellectual and artistic brilliance, heralding the works of Dante and Giotto, the wise governance of Saint Louis, and the pioneering thoughts of Roger Bacon and Albert the Great.

In this vibrant epoch, the world was awakening to a renaissance of intellect and creativity. Universities such as Oxford and Paris were unlocking new realms of knowledge, inviting eager minds to explore and expand their horizons. Saint Louis was forging a kingdom grounded in justice, while the determined barons secured the Magna Charta, laying the foundational stones for modern democracy. It was a time of spiritual awakening, with the emergence of new religious orders that enriched communities and deepened faith.

This era was also marked by transformative inventions and discoveries. Gunpowder, the telescope, and the understanding of gravitation were revolutionizing perceptions and reshaping humanity's relationship with the universe. The nascent ideas of political representation and parliamentary debate were sketching the early blueprints for future governance. Meanwhile, nations were crystallizing, forming the cultural and geographical landscapes we recognize today.

On God, Faith, and Morality

Driven by an insatiable desire to comprehend the divine, St. Thomas Aquinas embarked on a profound exploration of the nature of God. His cornerstone contribution, the "Five Ways," presented five logical arguments for God's existence. These arguments, including the Argument from Motion, the Argument from Efficient Causes, the Argument from Possibility and Necessity, the Argument from Gradation of Being, and the Argument from Design, utilized logic and observable phenomena to arrive at the undeniable conclusion: there must be a first, uncaused cause, whom Aquinas identified as God. This rational approach unveiled the intricacies of the divine, making it accessible and intellectually compelling to both believers and skeptics alike.

Aquinas's quest extended beyond the mere existence of God, delving into the depths of His attributes. He described God as a being of unparalleled simplicity, unburdened by the complexities of earthly existence. He identified God as the ultimate source of all being, the eternal and ever-present source of all existence. Aquinas further emphasized God's omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, highlighting His intimate involvement in the workings of the universe while acknowledging His transcendence beyond human comprehension.

A cornerstone of Aquinas's theological edifice was the harmonious interplay between faith and reason. He believed that these two paths to truth, one paved by philosophy and the other illuminated by theology, ultimately stemmed from the same divine source and were meant to complement each other. This groundbreaking reconciliation of Aristotelian thought with Christian doctrine revolutionized Western intellectual history, laying the foundation for centuries of theological and philosophical inquiry.

St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the Catholic Church's most revered theologians and philosophers, lived during the 13th century. Known as a Doctor of the Church, Aquinas's influence on Western thought is immense, particularly in his synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. His most notable work, the "Summa Theologica," is a cornerstone of Christian scholarship. While Aquinas is more renowned for his intellectual contributions than for performing miracles, several miraculous events are traditionally associated with him.

Miracles Overview

The miracles attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas are not as numerous or as flamboyant as those associated with many other saints. His miracles often involve profound theological insights or divine affirmations of his intellectual work. These events underscored his sanctity and the divine inspiration behind his theological contributions, strengthening the faith of believers and reinforcing the intellectual foundations of the Church.

Miracle of the Burning Brand

• Description: One of the most cited miracles of Aquinas occurred during his time at the University of Paris. It's said that Aquinas's chastity was tested by his brothers, who disapproved of his choice to join the Dominican Order. They sent a prostitute to his room, but Aquinas, resolute in his commitment to celibacy, chased her away with a burning brand from the fireplace. Afterward, he knelt in prayer, and two angels appeared, strengthening his resolve by girding him with a cord, ensuring his purity for the rest of his life.
• Witnesses/Testimonies: This miracle is part of the hagiographical traditions surrounding Aquinas, with accounts preserved in the writings of early biographers and Dominican records.

Miracle of Levitation and Ecstasy

• Description: St. Thomas Aquinas reportedly experienced moments of levitation and ecstasy during prayer, especially when he was deep in contemplation of the Eucharist. On several occasions, he was seen levitating or being raised from the ground, completely absorbed in divine contemplation.
• Witnesses/Testimonies: Fellow monks and clergy members are said to have witnessed these miraculous events, which were documented in the records of the Dominican Order and the testimonies of those who lived in the same convent.

Miracle of the Cross Speaking

• Description: Perhaps the most profound of Aquinas's miracles occurred while he was saying Mass in Naples. Christ on the crucifix is said to have spoken to him, affirming that the theological work he had done was divinely inspired. According to tradition, Christ asked, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have?" to which Aquinas replied, "Nothing but you, Lord."
• Witnesses/Testimonies: This event is preserved in the hagiographical traditions and the accounts of early biographers who collected testimonies from those familiar with Aquinas's life and works.

Miracle of the Mysterious Light

• Description: While St. Thomas Aquinas was writing the "Summa Theologica," a mysterious light was often seen surrounding his cell. This phenomenon was interpreted as a divine presence assisting him in his theological endeavors.
• Witnesses/Testimonies: Fellow monks and scholars reported this occurrence, viewing it as a testament to the divine inspiration and guidance in Aquinas's work.

Miracle of the Voice of St. Peter and St. Paul

• Description: It is recounted that while Aquinas was struggling with a difficult theological problem, Saints Peter and Paul appeared to him in a vision, providing him with the answers he sought. This divine intervention offered clarity and insight into complex theological issues.
• Witnesses/Testimonies: Aquinas himself shared this miraculous vision with his confessor, who documented the event, adding to the body of evidence supporting the divine inspiration behind Aquinas's theological insights.

The miracles attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas emphasize his profound spiritual depth and the divine approval of his life and works. While they may not be as numerous or dramatic as those of other saints, they reflect the unique role that Aquinas played in the intellectual and spiritual life of the Church. The accounts of these miracles have been preserved in the traditions of the Dominican Order, the testimonies of his contemporaries, and the writings of early biographers.