Thomas Aquinas Facts & Worksheets

St. Thomas Aquinas, the foremost Scholastic of the Middle Ages, was an Italian Dominican theologian born in Roccasecca, Italy, and canonized in 1323. He contributed significantly to Latin theology, typically through his masterworks, the Summa Theologica and Summa contra gentiles, and his Aristotelian-influenced metaphysical insights. Although not universally embraced by contemporary Catholic theologians, his legacy as a preeminent Western philosopher and theologian remains integral to the Church’s intellectual tradition.

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Key Facts & Information

EARLY YEARS

• Thomas was born into a family owning a small feudal domain situated on a contentious border often disputed between the pope and the emperor. 
• His mother hailed from Norman ancestry, while his father was of Lombard descent.
• Amidst the civil strife between papal and imperial forces in southern Italy, Thomas’s family aligned with Emperor Frederick II, earning distinction in his service.
• At a young age, Thomas was placed as an oblate in the monastery of Monte Cassino, with his family envisioning a future as abbot to their benefit. 
• However, in 1239, Emperor Frederick expelled the monks for perceived papal allegiance, compelling Thomas to return home. Later, he was sent to the University of Naples, where he encountered translated Arabic and Greek texts, sparking his interest in joining the Dominicans.
• The Dominicans, or Friars Preachers, offered a departure from traditional monastic life, emphasizing preaching and teaching over contemplation and manual labor. This choice represented a break from Thomas’s monastic upbringing and feudal surroundings. 
• His path took a decisive turn when his parents attempted to abduct him while traveling to Paris, prompting his superiors to secure his enrollment in the renowned university, shielding him from familial interference.

STUDIES IN PARIS

• After a year of captivity, Thomas defied his family’s wishes and journeyed to Paris in 1245 to attend the Dominican University at the Convent of Saint-Jacques, studying under St. Albertus Magnus.
• This choice was in line with the mendicant orders’ religious calling and represented a dramatic break from the feudal era. 
• Thomas’s intellectual development was influenced by the intersection of gospel teachings and the cultural milieu of his time. 
• Often recognized for integrating Aristotelian philosophy into Christian thought, his work also signaled a broader call for spiritual and cultural renewal within the church and individual lives.
• Upon Thomas’s arrival in Paris, the introduction of Arabian-Aristotelian science stirred controversy among believers, with church authorities attempting to curtail the perceived naturalism and rationalism. 
• Thomas, however, embraced Aristotle’s works, delivering public lectures akin to his mentor Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon.
• The clash between scientific rationalism and Christian theology coincided with societal shifts toward urbanization, market economies, and technological advancements. 
• This era saw a growing emphasis on reason and technology as a means to understand and manipulate the natural world, challenging traditional scholastic debates.
• Thomas left Paris with Albertus in 1248 for Cologne, where he continued his theological studies. He returned to Paris in 1252 to pursue a master’s degree in theology, completing the necessary training and earning his license to teach in 1256. He commenced teaching theology at a Dominican institution affiliated with the University of Paris.

YEARS AT THE PAPAL CURIA AND RETURN TO PARIS

• In 1259, Thomas Aquinas became a lecturer and theological advisor to the Papal Curia, residing in Italy under Pope Alexander IV and Pope Urban IV. 
• He taught at the Santa Sabina monastery in Rome from 1265 to 1267 and then moved to Viterbo at Pope Clement IV’s request.
• Transferred abruptly to Paris in November 1268, he found himself embroiled in a doctrinal dispute sparked by the introduction of Averroës’s writings to the Parisian masters.
• Averroës’s rationalist interpretations drew followers at the University of Paris, causing tension with traditional Christian theology. 
• Thomas engaged in debates with figures like Siger de Brabant, defending orthodoxy against what he saw as compromises with Aristotelianism. 
• However, his support for reason’s autonomy led to a loss of credibility, even as radical Averroism was condemned in 1270.
• Thomas conceptualized theology as a science grounded in revealed truths, employing reason alongside faith. His methodology, characterized by structured questioning, reflected the educational norms of the time. 
• He categorized his writings into commentaries, disputed questions, and opuscula, each serving different pedagogical purposes.
• Central to Aquinas’s philosophy was the harmony between faith and reason, rooted in the acknowledgment of natural laws. 
• He rejected supernaturalistic interpretations that overshadowed the significance of nature, emphasizing the rationality inherent in divine creation. 
• Thomas defended human liberty within the framework of divine Providence, maintaining that autonomy was integral to God’s plan.
• Despite opposition from traditional theologians, Thomas’s synthesis of Aristotelian thought and Christian doctrine offered a nuanced understanding of nature, freedom, and divine sovereignty, shaping his unique spirituality.

LAST YEARS IN NAPLES

• Thomas returned to Italy in 1272 to establish a Dominican house of studies in Naples at the behest of King Charles of Anjou.
• In 1273, St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan friar and friend of Thomas, challenged Aristotelian philosophy at university debates in Paris, disputing its views on human nature and knowledge. 
• A divergence arose between realist and idealist philosophers regarding the relationship between spirit and matter in humans.
• Thomas emphasized the interconnectedness of spirit and nature, arguing that the soul is the form of the body, thus bridging the gap between the material and spiritual realms. However, some criticized him for not sufficiently defending the idea of the soul’s transcendence beyond bodily death.
• In an attempt to bring the Greek and Latin churches together, Pope Gregory X called Thomas Aquinas to the Second Council of Lyons in January 1274. 
• However, Thomas became ill while traveling and passed away on March 7 at the Cistercian monastery of Fossanova. Twelve of Thomas’s theses were among the 219 assertions rejected by the Parisian theological authorities in 1277, leading to a prolonged period of spiritual discord.

LEGACY

• Thomas Aquinas’s life may seem uneventful, marked by academic pursuits in various cities like Paris, Rome, and Naples. 
• However, his existence was deeply intertwined with the social and political dynamics of his time, especially within the intellectual ferment of university life.
• Within the burgeoning university environment, Thomas found not only the platform for his scholarly endeavors but also the rich spiritual and intellectual milieu necessary for their development. 
• It was within this context that his work flourished, shaped by the challenges and opportunities of his era.
• Despite being canonized as a saint and recognized as a doctor of the church, Thomas faced significant hurdles in his thirteenth-century context. 
• He grappled with a theological revolution spurred by the rediscovery of Greek science and thought, which posed challenges to the established Christian order.
• Thomas’s contemporaries attested to his innovative contributions, noting his ability to introduce fresh perspectives and methodologies into philosophical discourse. 
• His work reflected a profound engagement with the issues of his time, guided by perceived divine inspiration and intellectual illumination.

Thomas Aquinas Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Thomas Aquinas across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Thomas Aquinas. Although not universally embraced by contemporary Catholic theologians, his legacy as a preeminent Western philosopher and theologian remains integral to the Church’s intellectual tradition.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Thomas Aquinas Facts
2. Biography Analysis
3. Tracing Influences
4. Evaluating the Five Ways
5. Wisdom Unpacked
6. Draw Insights
7. On Being and Essence
8. Statue Expedition
9. Summa Quest
10. Divine Pursuit
11. Philosophical Banquet

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Thomas Aquinas?

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. He is best known for his work in integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology.

What is the Summa Theologica?

The Summa Theologica is Thomas Aquinas’ most famous work, intended as a comprehensive guide to the main theological teachings of the Catholic Church.

What are the Five Ways?

The Five Ways are five logical arguments presented by Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica to demonstrate the existence of God.

How did Thomas Aquinas reconcile faith and reason in his works?

Thomas Aquinas believed that faith and reason are not in conflict but complement each other. He argued that truths revealed by faith and those discovered by reason ultimately come from the same source—God—and therefore cannot contradict each other. Aquinas maintained that reason can lead to certain truths about God and the natural world, while faith provides insights into divine mysteries that reason alone cannot fully comprehend. He used Aristotelian philosophy as a foundation for his theological arguments, showing that logical reasoning can support and enhance understanding of religious beliefs.

What is Natural Law according to Thomas Aquinas?

Natural Law, according to Thomas Aquinas, is a set of moral principles inherent in human nature that can be discovered through reason and guide human behavior. Aquinas believed that these laws are part of the divine order and reflect the eternal law of God.

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