Listen

St. Thomas Aquinas Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Creator:
Published:
December 22, 2023
January 28, 2019
Who was St. Thomas Aquinas? Learn more about him through our Spotify playlist.|Who was St. Thomas Aquinas? Learn more about him through our Spotify playlist.|St. Thomas Aquinas Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

January 28 is the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas. He is a giant in the Catholic intellectual tradition, but his mental powers did not outpace his prayerful faithfulness.

Born in 1225 in Aquino, Italy, he was educated at the Monte Cassino monastery before studying at the University of Naples when he was 13. There, Thomas met the Order of Preachers, the religious community founded by St. Dominic.

When considering joining religious life, Thomas’ noble family supported him, but they did not want him to join a community that strongly emphasized poverty. So they kidnapped him and tried to talk him out of joining the Dominicans. In fact, they even brought in a prostitute with the intention of luring Thomas to sin. But the tactic did not work — Thomas just chased her out. While he was confined by his family, Thomas began studying the Bible, even learning much of it by heart.

Eventually, his family gave up and he completed his studies under St. Albert the Great at the University of Cologne. As he began his classes, Thomas was given the name “dumb ox” because he did not initially participate in class discussions like his other classmates. Yet, Thomas’ incredible intelligence would soon prove he had plenty going on upstairs.

Outside of the classroom, Thomas developed a rich prayer life — during Mass, he would fully submit himself to God and give his full attention to the Eucharist.

After receiving his doctorate, Thomas taught at the University of Paris and preached across Italy. He incorporated the philosophy of Aristotle in his explanations of divine revelation, and the theology that flowed from his synthesis has served the Church for centuries. Though he never finished his greatest work, the Summa Theologiae, it remains the fullest body of theological teaching ever written.

Thomas died at the age of 50 following an illness. After being canonized, he was declared a doctor of the Church.

Get to know the patron saint of students, universities, and schools through our study playlist inspired by his life and work.

If the entire playlist isn't loading below, click on the Spotify logo to listen to the full playlist on Spotify.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 22, 2023
January 28, 2019
On a related note...
"Jacob's Song" by Brother Isaiah

"Jacob's Song" by Brother Isaiah

Grotto Shares

4 Tips If You're Alone on Christmas

4 Tips If You're Alone on Christmas

Christine Chu

What It Means to be a Catholic Feminist

What It Means to be a Catholic Feminist

Mariah Cressy

How This Ancient Meditation Practice Changes My Day

How This Ancient Meditation Practice Changes My Day

Mike Jordan Laskey

Classical Figurative Artist Captures the 'Real' with His Work

Classical Figurative Artist Captures the 'Real' with His Work

Grotto

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Why You Should Know the Work of Henri Nouwen

Patty Breen

Voices of Synod 2018 | Brian Rhude

Voices of Synod 2018 | Brian Rhude

Grotto

From Grief to Embracing Life: A Story of Healing

From Grief to Embracing Life: A Story of Healing

Grotto

"Emmanuel"

"Emmanuel"

Barbara Lisette

What We Learned from Judah & the Lion's 'Pep Talks'

What We Learned from Judah & the Lion's 'Pep Talks'

Isaac Huss

St. Paddy's Day Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Paddy's Day Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

This Christmas, I Miss My Grandfather's Faith

This Christmas, I Miss My Grandfather's Faith

Brittany Jaso

What Does the Church Say About the End of the World?

What Does the Church Say About the End of the World?

Dan Masterton

What the **** Lord? And Other Prayers

What the **** Lord? And Other Prayers

Ricky McRoskey

Why I’ve Attended 30 Dave Matthews Band Concerts

Why I’ve Attended 30 Dave Matthews Band Concerts

Josh Flynt

What I Learned From Burying My Pet Ferret

What I Learned From Burying My Pet Ferret

Eric Clayton

What a Near-Collision Taught Me About Life

What a Near-Collision Taught Me About Life

Erin Spruit

Where to Find Hope During a COVID Christmas

Where to Find Hope During a COVID Christmas

Theresa Sullivan

Voices of Synod 2018 | Christina DiSalvo

Voices of Synod 2018 | Christina DiSalvo

Grotto

A Very Merry Christmas Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

A Very Merry Christmas Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.