Born in 1193 in Germany, Albert the Great was a member of the Dominican order, a bishop, a theologian, a philosopher, and a scientist. He is also famous for being the teacher and mentor of St Thomas Aquinas, probably the most significant theologian in the history of the Church. Albert’s attempt to understand Aristotle’s writings established the climate in which Thomas Aquinas developed his synthesis of Greek wisdom and Christian theology. But Albert deserves recognition on his own merits as a diligent, curious scholar. St. Albert also played an important role in introducing the science of the ancient Greeks and of the Arabs into the curriculum of medieval universities. His boundless interests prompted him to write a compendium of knowledge in natural science, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics, and metaphysics. He taught at the influential universities of Cologne and Paris. He also served as the provincial of the Dominicans and as bishop of Regensburg in Germany for a short time. He was named a Doctor of the Church and is the patron saint of scientists, philosophers, and educators.
Our psalm states today: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord. St Albert the Great diligently followed God’s law, but also used his creativity and intelligence to go beyond the realm of religion into many different spheres of learning. His contributions to our faith and to academia are important to us even today. May we unite our prayers with his prayers in honor of his feast day.
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