Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of schools, was a university teacher, a philosopher and a theologian whose ideas and written works regarding philosophy and religion will be studied for years to come. He was born in 1225 and died in 1275 and in those 50 years became know to be one of the greatest philosophical intellects of all time.
             Thomas Aquinas was born to royalty. His father, Landauph, was the Count of Aquino and his mother, Theodora was the Countess of Teano. It is rumored that before his birth a local hermit foretold his future, saying to Theodora before her child was born, "He will enter the Order of Friars Preachers, and so great will be his learning and sanctity that in his day no one will be found to equal him" (Kennedy). The customs of Thomas' time required him to be sent away for schooling at the age of five. Thomas was placed by his parents in the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino. His uncle had been abbot of the monastery, and his family had similar ambitions for Thomas. He excelled as a young student and his teachers described him as being meditative and devoted to prayer. It is said that even at a very young age Thomas was already exercising his philosophical mind asking questions such as "What is God," (Kennedy).
             In 1236, at the age of ten, Thomas was sent to the University of Naples. This move was made either at the request of his uncle, the Abbot of Monte Cassino, who wrote to Thomas's father and said, "a boy of such talents should not be left in obscurity," (Coppleston 182) or the move was
             made because of a battle between the papal and imperial troops. Once in Naples, Thomas excelled in all areas of his studies. It was during his time at the University of Naples that Thomas Aquinas decided to embrace the religious life. While at the University, Thomas became close with members of the Dominican order and, against the violent opposition of his family, became a Dom...