November 15th - St. Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church.
Albert was born about the year 1200. He belonged to the family of
Bollstädt and
was probably born at the castle of Lauingen on the Danube in Germany.
Little is
known of his early life, but he was the eldest son and his father was
wealthy
and held a military office. He attended the University of Padua, studying
the
liberal arts.
While at the university, Albert met Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the Master
General
of the Dominican friars. Against the strong opposition of his uncle and
father,
he decided to enter the Dominicans. He was sent to study theology in
Germany and
about 1233 he received a lecture****p and taught in several primary cities
of
Germany. He was sent to the University of Paris about the year 1241 to
study for
a master****p in theology and there he came to know the works of Aristotle.
Aristotelian philosophy was just making itself known in Europe and this
was to
have a profound effect on Albert's studies and direction of thought.
Albert was the first German Dominican to receive a master****p in Paris.
There
are numerous books detailing the teachings of Albert which are beyond the
scope
of this presentation. Suffice it to say that he was an authority, teaching
and
writing treatises on logic, mathematics, metaphysics, geography,
chemistry,
mineralogy, biology, astronomy, ethics and other subjects.
Perhaps Albert is best known for rewriting the works of Aristotle in a way
which
made them acceptable to Christian critics. He also laid the ground work
for
applying Aristotelian principles and methodology to the study of theology.
Best
known among his students was Thomas Aquinas who would build upon the
groundwork
Albert had laid.
In 1256, along with Bonaventure and his former pupil Thomas Aquinas,
Albert
defended the mendicant orders' cause. In 1257 He returned to Cologne,
Germany
and taught, but was called away on different occasions to help reform
abuses in
the clergy. He was elected bishop of Regensburg in 1260 to help in the
reformation of that diocese, with moderate success. Two years later he was
able
to resign and return to teaching until 1278. At this time Albert's memory
began
to fail and he gave up teaching and devoted the remainder of his life to
prayer.
Albert died peacefully on November 15, 1280 at Cologne. It has been said
that
during his long teaching career, one could see in his writings a great
holiness,
but there was lacking that suppression of self which is a mark of the true
saint. It wasn't until after his retirement that this sense of self
disappears
into his seeking totality only in God. He was declared a doctor of the
Church by
Pope Pius XI on December 16, 1931.
Quote:
The Divine Office is the school of all virtues. The master who teaches us
in it
is the Holy Ghost, the source of all truth; it is also the Prophets,
Apostles,
and Saints of God.
-St. Vincent de Paul
Bible Quote
18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in
heaven
and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in
the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching
them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with
you all
days, even to the consummation of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)
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The Hymn of the Trisagion:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, who was born of the Virgin,
have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, who was crucified for us,
have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
who was raised the dead and ascended into the heavens,
have mercy upon us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Holy Trinity have mercy upon us.
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