Preparing for Catholic Schools Week

Saint Thomas Aquinas
1225-1274

Hello, I am Saint Thomas Aquinas. This timeline identifies the dates of my birth and death.

Many schools all across the world are named after me. My whole life was devoted to Catholic education. That was over 700 years ago. As you and your classmates celebrate Catholic Schools Week—please know that I am with you in spirit and purpose.

I am a Dominican priest. Do you know any Dominican priests and sisters?

One day while a student myself, I asked this question, “What is God.” I spend most of the rest of my life writing and teaching about my thoughts and answers to that very question.

My greatest contribution to the Catholic Church is my writing. My most famous book is a huge volume of theology. It’s been widely used for centuries. All of my writings are about faith. They are about our friendship with God who invites us to share that friendship with others.

I owe a lot to Catholic schools. In fact, it was another Dominican saint who encouraged me when I was a young student. He urged me to pursue advanced studies in theology. The name of that teacher is Saint Albert the Great.

I was canonized a saint in 1323.

I am the patron saint of Catholic universities.

My feast day is celebrated on January 28.