SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Saint Thomas Aquinas was an Italian priest of the Catholic Church in the Dominican order and one of history’s preeminent theologians and philosophers. He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology, and the father of the Thomistic school of philosophy and theology. Aquinas is held in the Catholic Church to be the model teacher for those studying for the priesthood. The works for which he is best known are the Summa Theologica and the Summa Contra Gentiles. One of the thirty-three Doctors of the Church, he is considered the church’s greatest theologian and philosopher. Pope Benedict XV said: “The Church has declared Thomas’ doctrine to be her own.” Here is a prayer of his.
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Ineffably wise and good Creator, illustrious Original, true fountain of light and wisdom, vouchsafe to infuse into my understanding some ray of Thy brightness, thereby removing that twofold darkness under which I was born, of sin and ignorance. Thou that makest the tongues of infants eloquent, instruct, I pray Thee, my tongue likewise; and pour upon my lips the grace of Thy benediction. Give me quickness to comprehend and memory to retain; give me happiness in expounding and a facility in learning, and copious eloquence in speaking. Prepare my entrance on the road of science, direct me in my journey, and bring me safely to the end of it, even happiness and glory, in Thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.