Saint Albert the Great
Born: c1206 Lauingen,
Germany
Died: 1280Feast Day: 15th November
Patron Saint: Students of the Natural Sciences, Philosophers, Medical Technicians, Scientists, City of Cincinnati (Ohio)
Shrine: St Andrew’s Church, Cologne, Germany
Symbols in Art: Dominican Habit, Book, Quill, Bishops Crozier
Also known as: Albertus Magnus
Beatified: 1622
Canonised: 1931 by Pope Pius Xi
Saint Albert the Great was born in Lauingen, Germany
around 1206, his family home was a castle.
His father was a military lord in the army of Emperor Frederick II. He was educated in Padua where he learnt
about Aristotle. He was interested in everything
and fascinated by the relationship between faith and science. Around 1223 he is alleged to have had a
miraculous encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary and went on to join the Dominican
Order. He became an excellent student of
Theology obtaining his master’s degree. He taught in Paris where St Thomas
Aquinas was one of his pupils, before moving to Cologne to carry on his
teaching.
In 1254, he became the provincial of the Dominican
Republic and was known as a competent and efficient administrator. With Thomas
Aquinas, Bonushomo Britto, Florentius and Peter who became Pope Innocent V, he
took part in the General Chapter of the Dominicans at Valenciennes, where they
established a programme of studies that emphasised philosophy as an innovation
for those not adequately trained to study theology. He became Bishop of
Regensburg in 1260 where he was known for his humility. He was known to refuse to ride a horse,
instead choosing to go everywhere by foot, which earnt him the title of “Boots
the Bishop”. In 1263, Pope Urban IV moved Albert from
bishop to preacher of the 8th Crusade in German-speaking Countries,
where he became known as a mediator. On
one occasion he brought an end to the conflict between the people of Cologne
and the Archbishop.
He is probably best known for his extensive 38
volume writing on various subjects including logic, theology, botany,
astronomy, mineralogy, alchemy, zoology, physiology, phrenology, law and geography. Apart from his own writings he also commented
on the writings of Aristotle, making them more accessible to many people.
Through his scientific work, Albert demonstrated that all
creation pointed to God. He spent the
last years of his life defending the work of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and helping
Thomas understand that God had given him his intelligence for his use. Thomas was a shy, big man and got given the
title ‘dumb Ox’. Albert helped build
Thomas’s confidence and it is said to have helped make Thomas the man he was.
Albert died in 1280 in the Dominican convent in Cologne. His grave was opened 3 years later when his body was found to be incorrupt. The relics are now contained in a Roman Sarcophagus in the crypt of the Dominican St Andrews Church in Cologne.
References: The Bible and the Saints, G. Duchet-Suchaux
M. Pastoureau, Flammarion
https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/albert-great-st
https://www.catholicfaithstore.com/daily-bread/the-story-of-saint-albert-the-great/
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