St Thomas Aquinas
- Details
- Category: Dominican
- Published Date
- Written by Matthew Martinez OP
- Hits: 488
St Thomas Aquinas OP
Feast Day: 28 January
Saint Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest saints of the Dominican Order, whose works have left an indelible mark on Catholic Theology to this day. Saint Thomas was born toward the end of the year 1226 between Naples and Rome, close to the little town of Aquino, of which his father was Count. Going against the wishes of his parents, who had high hopes that he would join the Benedictine Order and live a very comfortable life, Thomas decided to join the Order of Preachers in 1224. The Dominican Order was at this time relatively young and the Order's involvement with the great European universities allowed Thomas to avail himself of the intellectual renaissance taking place in Europe at the time. Having studied under another hugely influential Dominican saint, Albert the Great, Thomas was given the opportunity to think deeply about the world in which he lived and especially about the religious issues of the time. He arrived on the scene at a time when the great works of Aristotle were being re-discovered in Europe and there was much debate over the place of the Aristotelian corpus within the framework of Christian thought. In critically assessing the works of Aristotle available to him, Thomas showed how the insights which Aristotle exposed could be used within a Christian context.
A New Teaching
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by Br Alan Hopkins OP
- Hits: 45
On the Gospel of Mark 1:21-28
4th Sunday of the Year
Jesus has now begun His public ministry. His first public appearance according to St Mark begins with His teaching in the synagogue, the place of Jewish worship. It is fitting that He begins His ministry here as He has come to fulfil the old covenant that God had made with the people and set up a new covenant, a covenant with His Father in heaven, through His blood. He seems to set down His programme by aiming his teaching at the Jewish people. He speaks with authority and the people recognise that, as they are amazed by what He says. Jesus’ authority has come from His Father as Jesus is the Son. When He began His ministry, Jesus' words may not have penetrated their hearts and show the true character of His authority, yet the people could not help but notice and be aware of its presence and contrasting it with the highest authority they knew most among their human teachers. It is here that Jesus will face human authority against divine authority.
The Dominican Charism
- Details
- Category: Audio
- Published Date
- Written by Conor McDonough OP
- Hits: 160
The following talk was given by Br Damian Polly OP at a meeting of the Blessed John Paul II Theological Society at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Br Damian was part of a panel from various religious orders - the others were a Benedictine monk, a Franciscan friar and a Carmelite nun. If you have ever wondered what makes up the Dominican mission and way of life, what makes us different from other orders and congregations, and whether there is such a thing as 'Dominican spirituality', this talk is a great place to begin.
Ears to Hear - St Catherine: Love Others Tenderly
- Details
- Category: Ears to Hear
- Published Date
- Written by Conor McDonough OP
- Hits: 74
St Catherine of Siena: Love Others Tenderly
The letter you are about to hear was written by St Catherine to another Catherine, Caterina de Scetto, also a Dominican laywoman. The letter highlights some of the potential pitfalls for those who consider themselves religious. It warns us not let our love be dependent on how it is received, but to generously reflect the unconditional love of God to the world. Catherine warns too not to judge other Christians whose ways are not pleasing to us. Instead, we should, as always for Catherine, ‘remain in the holy, gentle love of God’.
Silence and Word
- Details
- Category: Pope Benedict XVI
- Published Date
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 94
Rome, 24 January 2012, Feast of Saint Francis de Sales.
In his Message for the 46th World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI reflects on the relationship between silence and word and emphasizes that both constitute equally the path of Evangelisation. The Holy Father also draws attention to the consequences of doing away with silence in the process of communication.
Follow me
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by James Cassidy OP
- Hits: 117
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:14-20
The introductions are complete: the scene is set. Jesus is about to commence his public ministry, his work of preaching, healing and forgiving which will lead finally to his Passion, Death and glorious Resurrection. This is the way by which we were saved. As the Son of God, the Incarnate Word, Jesus could have done all the work for our salvation by himself: he didn't need the help of Simon and Andrew, James and John. So why did Our Lord call them to come and follow him?
