APPENDIX
APPENDIX
Thomist T-U-L-I-P
Calvinist T-U-L-I-P
T—Total Dependence
T—Total Depravity
U—Unconditional Election
U—Unconditional Election
L—Limited Application
L—Limited Atonement
I—Intrinsically Efficacious Grace
I—Irresistible Grace
P—Preservation of the Elect
P—Perseverance of the Saints
Excerpts from the Church’s Teaching on St. Thomas Aquinas
• He alone enlightened the Church more than all other doctors; a man can derive more profit in a year from his books than from pondering all his life the teaching of others.” Pope John XXII (Consistorial address, 1318).
• But inasmuch as, by the providence of Almighty God, the power and truth of the philosophy of the Angelic Doctor … have confounded, refuted and routed many subsequent heresies … We order that the memory of the Doctor by whose valor the world is daily delivered from pestilential errors be cultivated more than ever before.” Pope St.Pius V (Mirabilis Deus, 1567).
• It is our will, and by the authority of these letters we enjoin on you, that you follow the doctrine of Blessed Thomas as true and Catholic, and strive to unfold it with your whole strength.” Pope Urban V (quoted in Aeterni Patris, 1879).
• His doctrine above all other doctrine, with the one exception of the Holy Scriptures, has such a propriety of words, such a method of explanation, such a truth of opinions, that no one who holds it will ever be found to have strayed from the path of truth; whereas anyone who has attacked it has always been suspected as to the truth.” Pope Innocent VI (quoted in Aeterni Patris, 1879).
• Now far above all other Scholastic Doctors towers Thomas Aquinas, their master and prince … that rightly and deservedly he is reckoned a singular safeguard and glory of the Catholic Church.” Pope Leo XIII (Aeterni Patris, 1879).
• Thomas reigned as a ruler in his own kingdom. The minds of all, both teachers and hearers, with wondrous consent found rest in the guidance and authority of one Angelic Doctor.” Pope Leo XIII (Aeterni Patris, 1879).
• But we now come to the greatest glory of Thomas—a glory which is altogether his own, and shared with no other Catholic Doctor. In the midst of the Council of Trent, the assembled Fathers so willing it, the Summa of Thomas Aquinas lay open on the altar, with the Holy Scriptures and the decrees of the Supreme Pontiffs, that from it might be sought counsel and reasons and answers.” Pope Leo XIII (Aeterni Patris, 1879).
• … so the principles of philosophy laid down by St. Thomas Aquinas are to be religiously and inviolably observed, because they are the means of acquiring such a knowledge of creation as is most congruent with the Faith; of refuting all the errors of all the ages, and of enabling man to distinguish clearly what things are to be attributed to God and to God alone.” Pope St. Pius X (Doctoris Angelici, 1914).
• For ever since the happy death of the saintly Doctor, the Church has not held a single Council, but he has been present at it with the wealth of his doctrine.” Pope St. Pius X (Doctoris Angelici, 1914).
• We so heartily approve the magnificent tribute of praise bestowed upon this most divine genius that We consider that Thomas should be called not only the Angelic, but also the Common or Universal Doctor of the Church; for the Church has adopted his philosophy for her own.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• [I]t will be sufficient perhaps to point out that Thomas wrote under the inspiration of the supernatural spirit which animated his life and that his writings, which contain the principles of, and the laws governing, all sacred studies, must be said to possess a universal character.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• Sacred Studies, therefore, being directed by a triple light, undeviating reason, infused faith and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, by which the mind is brought to perfection, no one ever was more generously endowed with these than Our Saint.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• There can be no doubt that Aquinas raised Theology to the highest eminence, for his knowledge of divine things was absolutely perfect.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• Again, if we are to avoid the errors which are the sources and fountain-head of all the miseries of our time, the teaching of Aquinas must be adhered to more religiously than ever. For Thomas refutes the theories propounded by the Modernists in every sphere … It is therefore clear why Modernists are so amply justified in fearing no Doctor of the Church so much as Thomas Aquinas.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• And as he is, as We have said, the perfect theologian, so he gives infallible rules and precepts of life.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• Accordingly, just as it was said to the Egyptians of old in time of famine: ‘Go to Joseph,’ so that they should receive a supply of corn from him to nourish their bodies, so We now say to all such as are desirous of the truth: ‘Go to Thomas,’ and ask him to give you from his ample store the food of substantial doctrine wherewith to nourish your souls unto eternal life.” Pope Pius XI (Studiorum Ducem, 1923).
• Jesus spoke to him from the cross, saying: ‘Thomas, thou hast written well about me,’ and asked him: ‘What reward shall I give thee for all thy labor?’ the saint made answer: ‘None but Thyself, O Lord!’” Pope Pius XI (Studiorem Ducem, 1923).1
• Canon 589: Religious who have already studied their humanities should devote themselves for two years at least to philosophy and for four years to theology, following the teaching of St. Thomas … in accordance with the instructions of the Holy See.2
• Canon 1366, 2: The study of philosophy and theology and the teaching of these sciences to their students must be accurately carried out by Professors (in seminaries, etc.) according to the arguments, doctrine, and principles of St. Thomas which they are inviolately to hold.3
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Ineffable Creator, Who out of the treasures of Thy wisdom hast appointed three hierarchies of Angels and set them in admirable order high above the heavens and hast disposed the divers portions of the universe in such marvelous array, Thou Who art called the True Source of Light and super-eminent Principle of Wisdom, be pleased to cast a beam of Thy radiance upon the darkness of my mind and dispel from me the double darkness of sin and ignorance in which I have been born.
Thou Who makest eloquent the tongues of little children, fashion my words and pour upon my lips the grace of Thy benediction. Grant me penetration to understand, capacity to retain, method and facility in study, subtlety in interpretation and abundant grace of expression.
Order the beginning, direct the progress and perfect the achievement of my work, Thou who art true God and Man and livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
1. Jesus granted St. Thomas this divine communication at the end of St. Thomas’s life. Of all the private revelations recorded about Our Lord, this is the only instance where Jesus said a saint had written well of Him.
2. From the 1917 code of canon law (while the 1983 code of canon law has replaced the 1917 code, the theological and spiritual principles of the 1917 code continue to apply).
3. Ibid.