St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar and the greatest theologian and philosopher of the medieval Church, whose Summa Theologiae remains the most comprehensive synthesis of Catholic theology ever written. The Church celebrates St. Thomas Aquinas's feast on 01-28.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Thomas Aquinas as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Thomas Aquinas for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar and the greatest theologian and philosopher of the medieval Church, whose Summa Theologiae remains the most comprehensive synthesis of Catholic theology ever written. Born into a noble family, he joined the Dominicans against his family's wishes and studied under St. Albert the Great in Cologne and Paris. He was declared a Doctor of the Church and the Angelic Doctor for his extraordinary intellectual contributions.
The vocation of St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Thomas Aquinas's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
St. Thomas Aquinas is honored as the patron saint of Academics, students, theologians, Catholic schools, pencil makers. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with Academics have traditionally invoked St. Thomas Aquinas's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas is grounded in the specific details of Aquinas's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Thomas Aquinas in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Thomas Aquinas and seek Aquinas's intercession:
On the Feast Day (01-28): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Aquinas's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Aquinas's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Thomas Aquinas and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Thomas Aquinas in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Aquinas, pray for us," draws Aquinas's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Thomas Aquinas can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Thomas Aquinas. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas
O glorious St. Thomas Aquinas, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Thomas Aquinas as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Aquinas's memory imitate Aquinas's virtues and one day share Aquinas's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Thomas Aquinas in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Thomas Aquinas has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Thomas Aquinas in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Aquinas's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Aquinas's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Thomas Aquinas is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Thomas Aquinas: Near the end of his life, he had a mystical experience during Mass and stopped writing, saying that everything he had written seemed like straw compared to what had been revealed to him.
When praying before an image of St. Thomas Aquinas, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.