During his stay in Padua he attended the Church of the Dominicans, whom he then joined with the profession of the religious vows. It is said, however, that, he came to the discernment of his vocation quite gradually, and three main factors played a role: the Dominican Friars' example of holiness, hearing the sermons of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St Dominic's successor as the Master General of the Order of Preachers, and his own intense relationship with God.
In my late teenage years, as I began to discern my vocation to the priesthood, I think of the holy example of my home parish pastor, some excellent homilies, and some pretty intense prayer that led to my entrance into holiness. God can and does speak to us in our youth in pointing us toward our life’s project.
As it was for Albert, so also for all of us, personal prayer, nourished by the Lord's word, frequent reception of the Sacraments and the spiritual guidance of enlightened people are the means to discover and follow God's voice.
Albertus Magnus is best known as one of the Fathers of the scholastic method of philosophy in the Medieval period that became the predominant system of philosophy in the Church for centuries. His synthesis of the philosophy of Aristotle was further developer by his student and friend, Thomas Aquinas.
Albert wrote a compendium of knowledge which addressed topics such as logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics, and metaphysics, and so many of the natural sciences from physics to chemistry, astronomy and minerology, from botany to zoology. He is one of the patron saints of philosophy and the natural sciences. He certainly shows us that there is not only a place in the Church for deeply rational thought, but a need for men and women of scientific minds who are also open to and fervent for the deep mystery of God. We need faithful Catholic economists and mathematicians and astronomers and politicians to lend their rational thought and faith to the mission of the Church.
There is a place for the greatest minds inside the Church. May St. Albertus Magnus help us put our own ingenuity, creativity, energy, and interests in service of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For blessings upon the Bishops gathered in Baltimore for their annual meeting this week, that their conversations, prayers, and deliberations for the good of the Church may be blessed.
Through the intercession of St. Albert the Great, patron of philosophers and scientists, that those involved in the sciences may be men and women of faith may glorify God in their learning, research, and work.
For safety for travelers and for the homeless and destitute affected by cold and inclement weather, and that Christians may be every more attentive to the needs of the poor and the despairing in our midst.
For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution. For the safety of police and firefighters, for first responders, the underemployed and unemployed, for those struggling with addiction, for those suffering from depression or burn-out, and the healing of all the sick.
We pray in a special way for all of the faithful departed during this Month of November, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, and all the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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