Classes Cancelled For Mass Honoring Aquinas -

The Basilica of the National Shrine. Courtesy of Robbie Cruz

By Robbie Cruz

On Tuesday, January 29th the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception filled up with Catholic University students to celebrate the National Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas. Classes were cancelled from 11:50 until 3:00 pm.

The feast day celebrates the life and legacy of Aquinas, a philosopher who impacted Catholic teachings. He came up with the famous proof of the existence of God.

The mass opened with deans, priests, alumni, trustees, and President Garvey walking in. President Garvey welcomed everyone who was at the mass and watching on EWTN. A source said that there were an estimated 7,000 people at the mass, and there was an unknown number of people watching on television.

The readings in the mass were from the Book of Wisdom and the Book of John. The first reading discussed choosing the light, and how that light led us to God. The reading from the Book of John discussed Jesus consecrating and the ways he taught us to pray. This attributes to Catholics who are trying to learn more about prayer.

These Bible verses led Father James Brent to discuss how Aquinas taught people some of Jesus’ teachings. Brent said that Aquinas taught us that God gives us the spirit of truth, and that is what we should remember.

“It is important to hear that Jesus is the Lord of Catholic University, and Aquinas explains what light and love are,” Brent said. “God is light, and Jesus is love.”

St. Aquinas teaches that in God there is love and that God is infinitely good and loveable. This mass is celebrated once a year, every January 29th.