Feast day: January 28
When did St. Thomas Aquinas live: 1226- 1274
Biography:
St. Thomas Aquinas was born in 1226 as the son of a Count of Aquino. At the age of five years, he was placed in a Benedictine Monastery. When he was old enough to take his own decisions, he entered the Order of St. Dominic and moved to Cologne to study. Soon after, he was appointed to teach in Cologne. He wrote many works and befriended with the French king St. Louis. He was offered numerous important religious positions but he always refused. He became one of the most influent theologians and was declared Doctor of the church in 1323.
Patronage: St. Aquinas is patron saint of academics, against storms,lightnings, apologists, Aquino in Italy, book sellers, Catholic academies, schools, and universities,chastity, Falerna in Italy, learning, pencil makers, philosophers, publishers, scholars, students and theologians
Statues and wooden sculptures representing St. Thomas Aquinas -portrayal, imagery and emblem: St. Aquinas is shown as Dominic friar with book and a dove