Thomas Aquinas

Born in 1225 between Rome and Naples; at an early age, he had a love of meditation and solitude. Against his family, he became a Dominican novice. They had him kidnapped in an effort to make him change his mind. For two years Thomas did not relent. He was allowed to escape, he then went to the University of Paris where he studied Aristotle and theology. He had many mystical experiences in his life in which he became so absorbed that he was unconscious of the world around him. He was a prolific writer and wrote over 100 works. He passed in 1274 at the age of forty-nine.

poems of Thomas Aquinas

How is it they live for eons
in such harmony - the billions of stars
when most men can barely go a minute
without declaring war in their mind
against someone they know.
There are wars where no on marches with a flag,
though that does not keep casualties from mounting.
Our hearts irrigate the earth.
We are fields before each other.
How can we live in harmony?
First we need to know
we are all madly in love
with the same God.

"Ask anything." My Lord said to me.
And my mind and heart thought deeply
for a second, then replied
just one word, "When?"
God's arms then opened up
and I entered Myself.
I entered myself
when I entered Christ.
And having learned compassion 
I allowed my soul
to stay.


O Lord my God, make me
submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement,
chaste without regret,
patient without complaint,
humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity,
mature without gloom,
and quick-witted without flippancy
Grant that I may know
what You require me to do.
Bestow upon me
the power to accomplish Your will,
as is necessary and fitting
for the salvation of my soul.