On Jan. 28, we celebrate the feast of the great St. Thomas Aquinas, an Italian Dominican friar who is known as the Angelic doctor of the Church. To say that St. Thomas greatly advanced the study of theology within the Church is a huge understatement. Indeed, though it was written in the 1200s, his Summa Theologica continually elucidates profound truths about the mysteries of the Christian faith, even to this day.
Admittedly, the Summa is a text that is very methodical in its approach to theology and can be quite difficult to read. However, you don’t have to be a scholar to fully appreciate the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas. In honor of his feast, here are 10 simple quotes from the saintly scholar that illuminate deep theological truths of the Christian faith. St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
P.S. For a daily dose of insights from St. Thomas Aquinas, be sure follow the Aquinas Quotes account on X.
“As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.”
“Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.”
“To love God is something greater than to know Him.”
“Grace perfects nature.”
“The Blessed Eucharist is the perfect Sacrament of the Lord’s passion, since it contains Christ Himself and His Passion.”
“Charity is the form, mover, mother and root of all the virtues.”
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
“Charity brings to life again those who are spiritually dead.”
“The things that we love tell us what we are.”
“To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.”