The Life and Labours of Saint Thomas of Aquin

This volume presents the Second Edition of "The Life and Labours of Saint Thomas of Aquin", a significant abridgment of the original, exhaustive biography penned by Archbishop Vaughan over twenty years prior. Edited by his brother, Dom Jerome Vaughan, this edition seeks to distill the vast life of the "Angelical Doctor" into a more accessible form, aiming to clothe the profound intellect of the "Prince of Theologians" in a "homely English dress" suitable for a wider readership. It is a labor of love, designed to preserve the beauty and inspiration of the original herculean work while making the Saint's history available to students and devotees who might otherwise be daunted by the sheer scale of the initial two-volume set.

The narrative delves deep into the unique character of St. Thomas, portraying him not merely as an intellectual giant, but as a man of singular sweetness, gentleness, and peaceful spirit. Born into the noble House of Aquino, he famously turned away from worldly prestige to embrace the mendicant life of the Dominicans, though the text emphasizes that his character retained the "Benedictine mold" of his early oblation at Monte Cassino. The preface highlights his profound humility—famously regarding his massive theological output as mere "straw" compared to divine revelation—and describes a man so absorbed in heavenly contemplation that his physical labors were merely an overflow of his spiritual union with God.

Ultimately, this edition serves as a timely tribute to the enduring relevance of Thomistic philosophy in the modern age. Written in the wake of Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical championing St. Thomas’s doctrine as the antidote to modern errors, the book positions the Saint as an essential guide for both clergy and laity. It stands as a testament to a life where “activity and contemplation” were perfectly fused, offering a “perfect exemplar” for the Church as it navigates the intellectual and social challenges of the late nineteenth century.

Pages: 562

Author: Archbishop Vaughan, O.S.B.

Year: 1890