Saint Thomas Aquinas born as Tommaso Aquino on January 28, 1225 in Roccasecca, Kingdom of Sicily now known as Lazio, Italy , did several things throughout his life. He was a Dominican friar, Catholic priest, philosopher and doctor of the Church. Thomas Aquinas is one of the most eminent theologians and philosophers of the Catholic Church. At the age of nineteen, Saint Thomas tried to abandon his family and joined the Dominicans. His mother did not approve of his decision and therefore asked his brothers to capture him and lock him up in their castle of Rocca-Secca to prevent him from adapting to Dominican ways. His family didn't want him to join them but he was determined. His brothers did everything in their power to hold him back, they even hired a prostitute to seduce him but he scared her away with a hot iron. Two angels entered his room while he was sleeping that night and gave him a few words to strengthen his resolve to remain single. Two years later, St. Thomas finally managed to escape at night by slipping through a window. He went to Naples then to Rome to meet the Master General of the Dominican order. Later that year, he entered the University of Paris to continue his studies under Albert the Great. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay His most notable contribution to the Church was his writings simply because they expressed so much. The writings showed such things as harmony, persistence of faith, human intelligence, and unity. Two of his most famous masterpieces were the Summa theologiae, the Contested Questions Concerning Truth, and the Summa contra gentiles, which are systematic collections of theology. He influenced Roman Catholic doctrine for several years, and in 1917 he was adopted as the Church's official philosopher. Thomas Aquinas was declared patron of all Catholic students and universities in 1880. His life and legacy are celebrated on January 28. Saint Thomas was proclaimed a saint because he questioned the resurrection of Jesus. He did not believe it had actually happened, so he demanded proof of the scars and wounds caused by Christ's crucifixion. Jesus showed him the wounds and Saint Thomas was the first to recognize the divinity of Jesus. He died on March 7, 1274 and was canonized on July 18, 1323 in Avignon, Papal States, by Pope John XXII. Saint Thomas has many prayers but he prayed to Mary for wisdom and knowledge. In prayer he said: “Mary, Mother of beautiful love, fear, knowledge and holy hope, through your faithful intercession, many, although of modest talent, have made wonderful progress in learning and holiness. I choose you as guardian and patron of my studies..., I humbly ask you to obtain for me, through your intercession, the grace of the Holy Spirit. May it enable me to grasp with my mind, to retain in my memory and to express through my words and my life, all that will bring honor to you and your Son and will be happily conducive to my eternal salvation. Amen." In this prayer, he honors Mary and asks her to help him throughout his studies and to help him remember and understand the importance of his life. Keep in mind: this does not is just a sample.Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essaySaint Thomas Aquinas is one of the most influential and inspiring saints of all time and his work and legacy are will never be forgotten..