<p>Thomas was born near Aquino, Italy, about 1225 and educated at the Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino from the age of five. At 19, against his family's wishes, he joined the newly formed Dominicans and studied in Italy and France. With his teacher Albert the Great, he developed the theological 'Scholastic method,' which dominated Catholic teaching for centuries. He wrote many books; his most famous work is the <em>Summa theologiae</em>, perhaps the greatest exposition of theological thought ever composed. Many of his hymn texts, such as <em>Pange lingua, Tantum ergo </em>and <em>Adore te devote</em>, are still in use today.</p>
A man of towering intellect, Thomas was also a very humble mystic. He died in 1274, was canonized in 1323, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1567. In 1880, he was proclaimed patron saint of universities and schools.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.
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