November 15 | Saint Albert the Great

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine a young person growing up in 13th century Germany. His father is a prominent German official, which means his family has wealth, high status, and big plans for him. He is educated in the liberal arts, learning how to write, debate, and think.

But instead of pursuing a career as a government official, this young man feels a strong call to do something radical. He decides to enter a newly formed group called the Dominicans. His family is completely opposed to his choice. They set themselves against his decision. But he stands strong, defies their opposition, and enters anyway. His name? Albert. But history would come to call him Albertus Magnus, which translates to Albert the Great Albert was born in Germany around the year 1200. Growing up as the son of a prominent official, he had access to an excellent education in the liberal arts.

But when he entered the Dominicans as a novice, he chose a life dedicated entirely to priesthood and study, despite his family's disapproval. And let me tell you, Albert was gifted with an almost unbelievable amount of knowledge. He was a priest who eventually became a bishop, but his mind spans so many different areas. In addition to theology, he was gifted with knowledge in philosophy, natural science, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, politics, metaphysics, and even Arabic culture.

To Albert, all of this knowledge wasn't separate from his faith. He believed that studying theology and the natural sciences went hand in hand. Because of his brilliant mind, Albert became a highly respected teacher. He earned his doctorate and taught theology at the famous University of Paris and later in the city of Cologne.

During the 13th century, a major shift was happening. The ancient works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle were being widely circulated as Islam spread. Many people in Europe didn't know what to make of these writings, but Albert didn't shy away. He used his vast intellect to influence the church's understanding of the works of Aristotle. He helped people see how these complex ideas could be understood within Christian thought.

And speaking of teaching, Albert's best-known student was none other than the great St. Thomas Aquinas. Albert recognized the incredible potential in Thomas, mentoring him and helping him on his path to becoming one of the most famous thinkers in history. Albert also served as a Dominican provincial and was later appointed as the Bishop of Regensburg.

In artwork, you might see Albert wearing his Dominican habit, but you might also see him with a bishop's miter, the tall, pointed hat that bishops wear. He is also frequently shown holding a book and a quill, symbols of his lifelong dedication to writing and teaching.

Eventually, Albert's health began to fail, and he passed away in 1280. He had lived a full, brilliant life of service to God and the Church. He was later named one of the 37 Doctors of the Church, a very special title reserved for the most influential teachers in Catholic history. In 1931, Pope Pius XI officially canonized him as a saint.

St. Albert is celebrated today as the patron saint of scientists and philosophers. Sometimes, we might think that science and faith are at war, or that studying for school has nothing to do with our spiritual lives. But St. Albert shows us that studying science, mathematics, history, and languages is actually a way to appreciate the truth and the world that God created.

This week, pick one subject you are studying in school, or one topic in nature, like how stars form, how plants grow, or even a different culture. Spend 15 minutes researching it. As you learn, remember that you are discovering a piece of the vast universe God designed. Let your learning lead you to wonder, and let that wonder lead you to say a short prayer of thanks to God. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.