When the young aspirant Thomas Aquinas pronounced his principium – inaugural class – in the troubled days of 1256, no one could have suspected they were standing before the one whom future centuries would call “Doctor of Doctors”, “Prince of Theologians”, “Tabernacle of the science and wisdom of God.”1 Indeed, to begin one’s intellectual career under the epithet of the Dumb Ox of Sicily did not seem the best starting point for becoming the “incomparable Doctor”…
Nevertheless, this singular principium contained, in germ, all the marvels that would later spring from his supreme intelligence and his heart, “Privileged disciple of the Holy Spirit”, allowing one to sense, like the first lights of dawn, the strength and warmth of the regal star he would become. It is not without reason, then, that different Popes have praised him as “Morning Star and Light of the Church,” “Great Luminary of the World,” “Light of Science,” “Torch of the World,” “Guide and Light of the Faithful.”
In fact, Thomas Aquinas was a shining “Light of the Church” in those turbulent times, when scholars, teachers, heretics and, not infrequently, ignoramuses clashed with one another in the heart of Christendom, forgetting – it is probable – the true role that their positions conferred upon them: to guide the God’s flock.
“From Thy lofty abode…”
Leaving aside the quarrels between the seculars and the mendicants, which at the time was raising ire at the University of Paris, the young Thomas – only thirty-one years old – expounds with exquisite wisdom the doctrine received in a heavenly communication about verse 13 of Psalm 104: “From Thy lofty abode Thou waterest the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy work”: in His providence, God instituted that His gifts come to the faithful through intermediaries.
Whether or not being conscious of his position as magister of the Holy Church, St. Thomas presents a model of the philosophans theologus who unites faith and reason, contemplation and science: “From the heights of divine wisdom the minds of the learned, represented by the mountains, are watered, by whose ministry the light of divine wisdom reached the minds of those who listen.”2
It is by virtue of this interior disposition that St. Thomas made his mark on history, and not simply because he was one of the greatest geniuses who ever lived on earth. Aware of the dignity that his condition as doctor demanded of him, he knew how to be the mountain that is illuminated first by the rays of the sun,3 establishing himself in the Church – by the eminence of his life and teaching – as the “Touchstone of the Faith,” the “Torch of Catholic Theology,” “First of the wise and delight of the learned,” “Miracle of the world,” “Abyss of science,” “Pearl of the clergy, fountain of the learned and mirror without stain of the University of Paris,” “Divine Oracle,” “Faithful interpreter of the divine will,” “Prince and father of the Church.”
The Dominican Friar
Beyond all these titles – which the humble Thomas would doubtless have rejected in life – was that of the son of St. Dominic, or, if you like, Domini canis. The ideal of his spiritual father fascinated him and, obstinately defending his desire to follow it, he made the habit of the Order of Preachers the trophy of his first struggles. He taught by his life that holiness can be emulated by all, for it does not consist in penances, knowlege or miracles, but in love.
Friar Thomas, “Honour and glory of the preaching brothers,” the “Prudentissimus frater” and “Homo magnæ orationis,” became in the Order the “Summary of all great spirits,” the “Rule, path and law of customs,” the “Tabernacle of virtues” and the “Common Master of all universities.”
He categorically refused, throughout his life, every manner of ecclesiastical office and dignity, preferring his noble title of mendicant friar even to that of cardinal.
Athlete, terror and hammer
On the other hand, the good fruits of his preaching are due not only to the novelty of his doctrine, but to the soaring spirit of this lover of meditation, “filled and soaked as with sunshine with the warmth of the wonder of created things.”4
Fearless, energetic and pertinacious in defending the truth, he was a true “Athlete of the Orthodox Faith” when teaching and writing, especially when he selected from Greek philosophy what could best serve the patrimony of the Church.
“Charity covers a multitude of sins, and in that sense orthodoxy covers a multitude of heresies,”5 ponders Chesterton, and Thomas Aquinas had the merit of being the great Christianizer of Aristotle, “baptizing” his doctrine, explaining its principles and correcting the abuses of which it was the object.
Thus, besides being a “Shield of the Church Militant,” St. Thomas was – for good reason! – the “Arsenal of the Church and of Theology,” the “Terror of Heretics and the Hammer of Heresies,” the invincible “Doctor Ecclesiae”.
To the astonishment of the Averroists, by elucidating the divinity and complete humanity of Christ in the mystery of the Incarnation, he brought God back to earth, and for this reason he can symbolically be called “St. Thomas of the Creator.”6 The illustrious “Cantor of Divinity” and “Eucharistic Doctor”, Aquinas shines as the “Eagle of the schools,” the “Key to sciences and law,” the “Oracle of the Council of Trent,” the “Alpha of all sciences,” the “Language of all Saints,” and the “Seat of wisdom.”
Member of the heavenly court, the greatest glory
Nevertheless, it was fitting that the “Ornament of the Universe” should be raised to the sidereal heights and revered among those who unceasingly see God’s face in Heaven. In transports of admiration and stupefaction, men saw the master emerge from the “ox”, and in the sage they finally beheld – in unparalleled flight – an angel … What other praise could be due to a simple mortal after being crowned with the glory of the celestial spirits?
O St. Thomas, “Angel of the Schools,” “Angel of Theology,” “Exterminating Angel of Heresies,” “Cherub of Angels,” in short, sublime “Angelic Doctor”! Intercede for us and lead us to enjoy with you the perfect beatitude of Heaven, which you once glimpsed on this earth! ◊
Notes
1 The titles in quotes in the present article, which have no other reference, are part of a compilation of praises given over the centuries by Popes, councils, theologians and universities to St. Thomas Aquinas, reproduced by: JOYAU, OP, Charles-Anatole. Saint Thomas d’Aquin, patron des écoles catholiques. Lyon: Emmanuel Vitte, 1895, p.380-381.
2 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. Rigans montes, Prœmium.
3 Cf. Idem, c.2.
4 CHESTERTON, Gilbert Keith. St. Thomas Aquinas. Mansfield Center (CT): Martino Publishing, 2011, p.95.
5 Idem, p.103.
6 Idem, p.95.
