St. Albertus Magnus

The saint and doctor of the Church who would be known as Albertus Magnus was born sometime before the year 1200. He was probably born in Bavaria, a fact we infer because he referred to himself as "Albert of Lauingen," a town which still stands today in southern Germany. We do not know for sure all the details of his family origins, but we know he was well educated. He attended the University of Padua where he learned about Aristotle and his writings. This instruction in philosophy would become the foundation of his later work.

Sometime around the year 1223 or so, Albert experienced an encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This encounter moved him so much that he chose to become a member of the Dominican Order. He thereafter studied theology. He excelled in his studies and later became a lecturer for the Dominicans at Cologne. He also traveled around the region to lecture gaining regional, then international acclaim. At the same time he started lecturing, Albert produced "Summa de Bono," after collaboration with Phillip the Chancellor, who was a renown theologian from France.

In 1245, Albert became a master of theology under Gueruc of Saint-Quentin. He was the first German Dominican to achieve the title. He later went on to teach theology at the University of Paris, and became the Chair of Theology at the College of St. James. One of his students was the famous Thomas Aquinas who would also become a doctor of the Church and a saint. Albert was very interested in Aristotle, and he made commentary on nearly all of Aristotle's works. He also studied the teachings of several Muslim scholars. At this time, the Islamic world led Europe in terms of scholarship, science, and medicine.

In 1254, Albert became the provincial of the Dominican Order. By all accounts, he was a capable and efficient administrator. Five years later, in 1259, Albert participated in the General Chapter of the Dominicans along with Thomas Aquinas and several other contemporary leaders of the Order. They created a program of study for the Dominican order and developed a curriculum for philosophy. From this course of study would later arise the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, in Rome. Today, the university which is known as the "Angelicum," is one of the foremost theological colleges in the world. It is still run by the Dominican order.

In 1260, impressed with his acumen, Pope Alexander IV appointed Albert as bishop of Regensburg. Although he was a bishop, Albert refused to ride a horse and went everywhere on foot. This seemingly unusual practice was consistent with the rules of his order. The life of a bishop did not agree with Albert and he resigned from his post in 1263. In that same year, Pope Urban IV accepted his resignation and reassigned him to preach about the Eighth Crusade to German-speaking people. The crusade was intended to recapture the city of Tunis in North Africa for Christendom, and was a total failure.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Albertus Magnus is celebrated on November 15th, commemorating the day of his death in 1280. St. Albertus Magnus was beatified by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 and canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1931. His feast day serves as a reminder of the importance of intellectual pursuit, the harmony between faith and reason, and the value of education in the service of God. His life demonstrates that true wisdom comes from the integration of human knowledge with divine revelation, and that the pursuit of scientific knowledge can be a path to holiness.

Traditions and Customs

On this day, the Church honors St. Albertus Magnus's remarkable contributions to theology, philosophy, and science. His feast day serves as a reminder of the importance of education, the pursuit of knowledge, and the integration of faith and reason. Many universities, especially Catholic institutions, celebrate this day with special lectures or academic events. The day also emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and the compatibility of faith and science. Many people also reflect on their own intellectual pursuits and consider how they can use their knowledge and talents in the service of God and others.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray to St. Albertus Magnus for his intercession in matters of education, scientific research, and the integration of faith and reason. Many students, teachers, and scientists pray for his guidance in their academic and professional pursuits. His example encourages us to pursue knowledge with humility, to seek truth in all things, and to use our intellectual gifts for the glory of God. St. Albertus Magnus's legacy reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of faith are not opposed but complementary paths to understanding God's creation.