Statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, Aquinas College Academic Building – Photo by John Petty
By John Petty, Catholic Editor
Every year, the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas in the Roman Martyrology falls on Jan.28. In recognition of the College’s namesake, Aquinas College Campus Ministry celebrates Saint Thomas Aquinas week annually.
A Middle Ages theologian and philosopher, Aquinas utilized Aristotelian philosophy in his pursuit of theological understanding, most notably evident in his Summa Theologica, arguably the most important philosophical work in the Roman Catholic tradition.
“A lot of the reasons why I am Catholic were a lot of quotes attributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas,” junior Logan License said.
Throughout the week, some of Aquinas’ most notable works were put on display in the Library. These include his Commentary on the Psalms, Summa Contra Gentiles as well as his famed Summa Theologica.
Aquinas’ works on display – Photo by John Petty
Beginning the weekly festivities, Campus Ministry hosted Treats with Thomas in the lobby of the Academic Building on Monday morning. Coffee, donuts and conversation was provided as a fun way to foster a love of learning, in accordance with the Dominican Tradition.
Treats with Thomas – Photo by John Petty
That evening, Fr. Jordan DeGuire, O.P., gave a presentation on the life of Aquinas, from his rich beginning as the son of aristocrats, to his humble death as a son of Dominic. DeGuire emphasized that Aquinas, though a great thinker, was first and foremost a preacher of the Order. Attendees enjoyed coffee and cookies during the presentation.
Fr. Jordan DeGuire, O.P.’s Presentation on St. Thomas Aquinas – Photo by John Petty
On Wednesday, Jan.28, Campus Ministry celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas in Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel. Following the Mass, Campus Ministry went over to Wege Dining Hall for lunch.
Thursday morning, Campus Ministry hosted a community photo event, in which free Aquinas-colored scarves were given to the first one hundred attendants, and a community photo was taken. Attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, conversation and school spirit. The Pope Leo XIV cardboard-cut out also made an appearance. Later that evening, Dr. Brian Kemple, Ph.D. gave a lecture on Artificial Intelligence and the nature of the human intellect in relation to advancements of such technology.
Concluding Saint Thomas Aquinas Week, Campus Ministry celebrated the annual Medieval Strolling Feast. Participants enjoyed dining on large turkey legs, playing trivia as well as “jousting” for the crowds.
Students Cristian Zecharies and Noah Morris dueling – Photo by John Petty
“Aquinas Week was a fun week this year,” junior Zoebelle Bean said. “I especially liked the new AQ gear they handed out. The scarf was a pleasant addition and I have it hanging on my wall now.”
More than a name and a statue, Thomas Aquinas was a real man of profound significance to the Roman Catholic Church and Western philosophy as a whole. His love and pursuit for both faith and reason is essential to the liberal arts mission of Aquinas College.
The Saint 