Sanctifying Truth

10 Sanctifying Truth Thomas Aquinas appears as a saint for all Christians, whatever the interests or abilities each believer may possess. The Church indeed recognizes in Thomas Aquinas a man of extraordinary intellectual accom- plishments. At the same time, because his searching for and pondering of divine truth sanctified him, the Church proclaimed Thomas Aquinas a saint. Many study theology, but only holy scholars illu- mine the Church with their teachings. It is not easy to write about the saints, especial- ly about one of such spiritual density as Thomas Aquinas. The ensuing pages aim to illustrate the principal lessons from his life and writings that will prove helpful to all Christians. In particular, Thomas’s teaching leads us through the following line of argumentation: Since God is the supreme and first truth (“ summa et prima veritas ,” ST I q. 16, art. 5), divine truth sanctifies those who embrace it. Study affords the best approach to this embrace; the person who loves the truth he studies and who ponders it in his heart, that one becomes a contemplative. Then, the highest qualities that adorn human life animated by divine grace appear as charity and wisdom. Though not first among the moral virtues, chastity (sexual passion that has been well-tempered) supports the other virtues; the un- chaste person finds it difficult to develop prudence,