(Optional) Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)
Ironically St. Albert the Great’s name has been obscured by
that of St. Thomas Aquinas whom Albert taught and defended. Albert, like Thomas, had an expansive mind
which mastered all the trends in philosophy and theology of his time. More than his disciple, he understood physical
nature through experimentation.
Not only was Albert a genius, he was also a trusted
leader. He was elected provincial in his
religious order (the Dominicans) and then made a bishop. He resigned both positions, however, in order
to teach, research, and write. He proved
to be generous as well when he left his work to defend his student Thomas against
the charge of heresy.
St. Albert is the patron of scientists. He serves as a model of those who hold that
faith and science do not and cannot conflict.
Indeed, they serve each other. Faith
assures scientists that there is a transcendent meaning in their ceaseless
search for truth. Science reminds the faithful
that God’s Providence is far more magnificent than even the Bible conveys.
