by Catherine Fournier
Copyright 1997-2005 Domestic Church Communications Ltd.

Doctor of the Church
Symbol: Chalice, Monstrance, Dove, or Ox
Young Families

Saint Thomas is one of the most famous saints of the Catholic Church. He is called a ‘Doctor of the Church.’ He was a theologian, and philosopher.

                A theologian is someone who spends their life thinking about Jesus’ life. They figure out things about God and Catholic faith through prayer and study. Theologians help everyone learn about God.

                Saint Thomas’ love of God and learning wasn’t always respected. His Parents sent him to a monastery when he was five years old to study and learn. His teachers were surprised by how quickly he learn and his great faith. But when Thomas announced that he wanted to become a Dominican, his family tried to stop him. His brothers captured him and locked him up in a castle. His mother, sister, and brothers kept him there for two years!

                Finally, they changed their minds, and at last Thomas was allowed to joined the Dominicans. Even there though, he still had some trouble. Thomas was a very big man with a kind and humble manner. Because he didn’t talked very much, everyone thought he was stupid. They called him ‘the ox.’ But when they heard him preach everyone realized how wise and pious he really was. After he became a priest, Thomas studied in Paris and then taught at universities in many cities in Europe. He wrote more than 40 books and several beautiful hymns. All of his works praises God and has helped many people understand their faith better.

                At the end of his life, Saint Thomas stopped writing. He had a vision of Heaven and decided that compared to the great glory of God, his writing was ‘like straw.’ Three months later, on his way to see the Pope, he died. He is now in heaven, and after a lifetime of studying and writing about God, he is in the presence of God.