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St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote in his most important work Summa Theologica, "Now wonder is a kind of desire for knowledge; a desire which comes to man when he sees an effect of which the cause either is unknown to him, or surpasses his knowledge or faculty of understanding."
St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican, demonstrated that scholarly achievement and a commitment to the Catholic faith can co-exist.
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St. Thomas Aquinas is one of 33 recognized Doctors of the Church and is called the "Angelic Doctor"
because of his lifelong commitment to chastity. His scholarly works and personal virtues have been
models for young people over the ages. St. Thomas Aquinas took the philosophies of the Greeks,
particularly Aristotle, the writings and works of the Muslim sophists and the works of Jewish scholars,
particularly Maimonides, he synthesized it and infused it with the Christian message.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica is a detailed and lucid exposition of Catholic doctrine and practices. This work has been held aloft for over 800 years as the paramount of the Catholic faith. Popes in the time of St. Thomas Aquinas immediately recognized his gift sealing his role in the development of Christian theology to the point that the Council of Trent proclaimed that no other theologian more clearly represents the totality of Catholic thought.
In his lifetime, there was no other individual more eagerly sought and respected by nobility across Europe who clamored for his presence in their courts and colleges, but because of his personal piety, humility and true love of knowledge, he never strayed from his first and central passion, the pursuit of knowledge and the defense of truth. He declined all earthly honors including the Archbishopry of Naples and instead returned to the University of Paris where he earned his doctorate and served as chair of the theology department.
"Wonder is the desire for knowledge."
St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of chastity, learning, students, theologians, Catholic academies, schools and universities. Some of his symbols include the chalice, monstrance, book and sun; all of which are present in the school crest St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School.