This occasion is memorable, and it reminds us of the need for Catholics, especially Catholic educational institutions, not to forget the teachings – always valid and current – of the great St. Thomas Aquinas.

Newsroom (08/08/2023 09:00, Gaudium Press) On 4 August 1880, exactly one year after the publication of the encyclical Æterni Patris – which pointed to St. Thomas Aquinas as a model and teacher of Christian philosophy – Leo XIII made the Angelic Doctor the Patron Saint of Catholic educational institutes, by means of the brief Cum Hoc Sit.

This happens also to be the jubilee year of the canonisation of this giant of Catholic thought. Thus, the occasion is memorable, and it reminds us of the need for Catholics, especially Catholic educational institutions, to keep in our memories the teachings – always valid and current – of the great St. Thomas Aquinas.

“Certainly, in our day, as the study of his doctrine has spread, many have asked that he be designated Patron Saint, by decree of this Apostolic See, of all Catholic colleges, academies and schools. In addition, many bishops have expressed the same wish in personal and collective letters; likewise, the members of various academies and learned societies have insisted on the same request through humble and urgent supplications.

We thought it necessary to postpone the fulfilment of the ardour of these desires and prayers, so that time might increase their intensity; and the opportunity for this declaration arose immediately after the publication last year, on this very day, of our Encyclical Letter ‘De filosofia Christiana ad mentem S. Thomae Aquinatis Doctoris Angelici in scholis catholicis instauranda‘.

In fact, the Bishops, the Academies, the Rectors of Faculties and the scholars of every corner of the earth have declared with one heart and one voice that they will be docile to our prescriptions; that they want, in fact, to follow entirely in the footsteps of St. Thomas in the teaching of philosophy and theology; indeed, they affirm that they are, like us, convinced that the Thomistic doctrine possesses, with an eminent superiority, singular strength and virtue to cure the ills which afflict our age.”

Brief Cum Hoc Sit

“It is inherent in nature and proven by the Catholic Church that men seek the protection of those who stand out for holiness, and likewise seek examples to be imitated from those who have reached perfection in any discipline; therefore, not a few Religious Orders, Faculties, Literary Societies, with the approval of the Apostolic See, have long desired to have as their teacher and patron St. Thomas Aquinas, who has always shone like a sun for doctrine and virtue.

We, therefore, who have long and earnestly desired to see all schools flourish under the protection of a teacher so excellent in faith and patronage, since the desires common to all are so clear and sincere, believe that the time has come to add this new praise to the immortal glory of Thomas Aquinas.

Here is the main reason why We are so moved: St. Thomas, among the various branches of the sciences, is the most perfect model that Catholics can set for themselves. Truly, in him are present all the lights of soul and talent by which he rightly impels others to imitate him; a fruitful, incorrupt, perfectly ordered doctrine; respect for the faith and an admirable agreement with the truths divinely revealed; integrity of life accompanied by the splendour of the most excellent virtues.

His doctrine is so vast that it encompasses, like a sea, all the wisdom originating from the ancients. All that was said or wisely discussed by the pagan philosophers, Fathers and Doctors of the Church, by the great men who came before him, was not only assimilated by him, but added to, perfected, ordered with such discernment of form, with such accurate argumentation and with such propriety of language, that he seems to have left to his followers only the faculty of imitating him, excluding the possibility of surpassing him.

Its greatness consists in the fact that its doctrine, structured and developed according to entirely evident principles, responds to the needs not only of one epoch, but of all times and, above all, is suitable for refuting the errors that keep reappearing. Sustained by its own strength and vigour, its doctrine remains invincible and instils deep fear in its adversaries.

The perfect conjunction of reason and faith is no less important, especially in the judgement of Christians. Indeed, the Holy Doctor clearly demonstrates that the truths of the natural order cannot be in contradiction with the truths which are believed to be the word of God; consequently, to follow and honour the Christian faith is not a sign of humiliating and deprived servitude of reason, but, on the contrary, a noble obeisance with which the mind itself benefits and rises to the most sublime considerations. Finally, he demonstrates that intelligence and faith proceed from God, not in order to favour disputes, but to protect each other, united by a bond of friendship.

In all the writings of Blessed Thomas, one can see the model of this union and this admirable alliance. For we see in them the dominance and brilliance of reason, which, when preceded by faith, achieves what it desires in the investigation of nature; and of faith, which is enlightened and defended by reason; yet each of them retains inviolate its own strength and dignity; moreover, when necessity demands, both march together as allies against common enemies. And if the lasting and elevated concord between reason and faith has always been of the utmost importance, it is all the more serious to preserve it after the sixteenth century, since at that time the seeds of a freedom began to spread which, surpassing every limit and measure, caused human reason to openly reject divine authority, claiming from philosophy the weapons to discredit and combat the truths of religion.

Finally, the Angelic Doctor is not greater for doctrine than for virtue and holiness. Indeed, virtue is the best preparation for the exercise of the intellectual faculties and for the acquisition of doctrine; those who neglect it err in thinking that they have acquired a solid and fruitful wisdom, because “Wisdom will not enter the perverse soul, nor dwell in the body subject to sin” (Wis 1:4). In fact, this predisposition of soul, coming from virtue, is found in Thomas Aquinas not only in the highest degree, but entirely worthy of being divinely marked by an extraordinary sign. In fact, having overcome the insistent solicitations of pleasure, the chaste adolescent received from God, as a reward for his fortitude, the imposition of a mysterious belt over his kidneys, feeling at the same time the complete extinction of libidinous ardour. From then on he lived as if he had been free from any bodily contagion, and could be compared to the angelic spirits themselves, no less for innocence than for ingenuity.

For this reason, we consider the Angelic Doctor fully worthy of being elected Patron of Studies. In taking this decision with joy, We are moved by the consideration that in the future the patronage of such an excellent and holy man will be of great value for the restoration of philosophical and theological disciplines, with abundant advantage for society. Thus, in those places where Catholic schools are entrusted to the discipline and patronage of the Angelic Doctor, true wisdom will easily flourish, drawn from firm principles, transmitted with order and method. From the purity of doctrines will flow the purity of customs, both in private and public life, bringing as a consequence the salvation of peoples, order, peace and general tranquillity.

Those who apply themselves to Sacred Science, which is so violently contested in our day, will draw from the works of St. Thomas the means of amply demonstrating the foundations of the Christian faith, of inculcating supernatural truth, and of defending the most holy religion against the impious assaults of its enemies. Nevertheless, all human disciplines will realise that they will not have their development impeded or retarded, but on the contrary, solicited and increased; as for reason, once the causes of dissension have been dispelled, it will return to grace through faith, and will take it as its guide in the search for truth. Finally, all men eager for knowledge, moulded by the examples and precepts of such an illustrious teacher, will become accustomed to the proper disposition of study through integrity of morals; they will not follow that science which, deprived of charity, puffs up the soul and leads it astray, but that which originates in the “Father of light and the Lord of knowledge”, and leads to Him.

It was also proper for us to request the consent of the Sacred Congregation of Rites on the matter, and since its unanimous opinion was entirely in accord with our wishes, We, by virtue of our supreme authority, to the glory of Almighty God and in honour of the Angelic Doctor, for the advancement of the sciences and the general benefit of human society, declare St. Thomas, Doctor Angelicus, Patron of Universities, Academies, Colleges, and Catholic Schools, and desire that he be, as such, regarded, venerated and honoured by all. It is understood, however, that the honours and positions granted to the Saints whom the Academies or Faculties may have chosen as particular patrons will not be altered.”

Given at Rome, next to St Peter, under the ring of the Fisherman, on the 4th of August 1880, the third year of our Pontificate.

Leo PP. XIII

Compiled by Sandra Chisholm