That will settle the Manichees! There is an amusing story told about St. Thomas Aquinas I have always liked. Once, friar Thomas was invited to dine at the table of the King of France, Louis IX, who would eventually be canonized a saint, too. Brother Thomas, fell silent as the meal and conversation continued aroundContinue reading “Happy Feast of St. Louis IX of France (Repost from 2020)”
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Is Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophy for Everyone?
I came across this nice article from the National Catholic Register from a couple of years ago that I thought was worth sharing. Is Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophy for Everyone I am not sure about the authenticity of all the quotes attributed to him, but the overall sentiment and assessment are positive. I do, though, especiallyContinue reading “Is Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophy for Everyone?”
Corpus Christi 2024 – Divine Organ Donation
I passed by a church recently which had the following message on its marquee sign: Be an organ donor. Give your heart to Jesus! Initially, I thought, “Oh, that’s clever and cute. It fits with the whole ‘Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior’ deal” of a lot of Protestant denominations. With their focus onContinue reading “Corpus Christi 2024 – Divine Organ Donation”
Metaphysics and Morals
In March I posted about surprising ways various groups were commemorating the 750th anniversary of the death of Saint Thomas Aquinas including a workshop organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on “Aquinas’ social ontology and natural law in perspective“. At the time, I noted that Bishop Robert Barron also posted a video about his participation in this workshop where heContinue reading “Metaphysics and Morals”
Second Edition of Spiritual Survival Guide Published
I’ve published the Second Edition of Catholic College Student’s Spiritual Survival Guide updating sections Are Catholic’s Saved? (with material on What Exactly Is Salvation? and Why Jesus Died on the Cross) and Purgatory (including material on Indulgences). You can order a printed version here, or download the e-book here. I will be updating corresponding essaysContinue reading “Second Edition of Spiritual Survival Guide Published”
Celebrating Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Anniversaries in Surprising Ways
I found and shared on Facebook an article from the Vatican News Service “Pope Francis: Thomas Aquinas’ thought more relevant than ever“ featuring remarks Pope Francis made about the enduring value of Saint Thomas and his doctrinal legacy on the occasion of a workshop organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences commemorating the 750thContinue reading “Celebrating Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Anniversaries in Surprising Ways”
750th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Thomas – Memento Mori
While no longer celebrated as his feast day, today, March 7, is the anniversary of the death of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and this year, 2024, marks the 750th such commemoration and is part of the Triple Jubilee of the Angelic Doctor (along with the 700th anniversary of his canonization and 800th anniversary of his birthContinue reading “750th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Thomas – Memento Mori”
Happy Feast of Fra Angelico/Blessed John of Fiesole, OP – 2024
Today, February 18, is the feast day of one of my favorite artists and Dominican saints and blesseds, Fra Angelico, or Blessed John of Fiesole. What follows is mostly a repost of my commemoration of his feast day from 2022 that presents my digital pictures of many of his frescos from the Museum of theContinue reading “Happy Feast of Fra Angelico/Blessed John of Fiesole, OP – 2024”
Happy Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas – 2024 Jubilee: the Consummation of Love
This year’s Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas falls within the Triple Jubilee of the saint celebrating the 700th anniversary of his canonization (July 18, 1373), the 750th anniversary of his death (March 7, 1274), and the 800th anniversary of his birth (1225). As I noted before, the Church chose January 28 — the date hisContinue reading “Happy Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas – 2024 Jubilee: the Consummation of Love”
A Santa Claus Connection?
It was 750 years ago last Wednesday, December 6, that Saint Thomas Aquinas received a vision that changed the course of his life and presaged its closing acts. As I wrote in 2021, As is well known, on December 6, 1273, Saint Thomas had some sort of mystical experience while celebrating Mass in the DominicanContinue reading “A Santa Claus Connection?”
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