SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Thomas Aquinas (1226-74), a child of noble lineage, was educated at the Abbey of Monte Cassino and as a youth entered the new Dominican Order at the University of Naples, to become one of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all times, and in his day one of Europe's most popular preachers and teachers. To extraordinary gifts of mind he added a prodigious capacity for work, complete singleness of purpose, and a profoundly mystical holiness of life. His Summa Theologica and Summa contra Gentiles constitute the most reasonable and comprehensive defense of Christian doctrine ever produced, and his Eucharistic prayers and poetry are enshrined in the Church's liturgy. He is the patron of Catholic education.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except
COLLECT
O God, the wondrous learning of Your blessed confessor Thomas enlightened Your Church and still makes her fruitful because of his holy efforts. Grant that we may understand his teachings and put them into practice. Through Our Lord . . .


READING (Wisdom 7:7-14)
Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all. Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not. For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.

TRACT Ps. 111: 1-3

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments.
V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the righteous generation shall be blessed.
V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house, and his righteousness shall endure forever.

GOSPEL Matt.5:13-19

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
       "Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps.91:13

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

SECRET
O Lord, let Your blessed Confessor and Doctor Thomas always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:42

This is  the faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord has set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed Confessor and illustrious Doctor Thomas. Through our Lord . . .