St. Thomas Aquinas

Thomas is believed to have been born in the castle of Roccasecca

in the old county of the Kingdom of Sicily, which is now known

as the Lazio region of Italy, in 1225. His parents were well-off,

but as the youngest son Thomas was expected to enter the monastery.

At 5-years-old, Thomas began his education at Monte Cassino,

where he remained until the military conflict between Emperor Frederick II

and Pope Gregory IX reached the abbey. He was then

transferred and enrolled at the studium generale in Naples.

It is believed that Thomas was introduced to his philosophical

influences - Aristotle, Averroes, and Maimonides - at the university,

where he also met John of St. Julian, a Dominican preacher, who

influenced him to join the recently founded Dominican Order.

When Thomas' family learned of his decision, his mother Theodora

arranged for him to be moved to Paris. When Thomas was travelling to

Rome, his brothers captured him and returned him to their parents

at the castle of Monte San Giovanni Campano.

Thomas was held captive in the castle for one year as his family tried to

keep him from joining the Dominican Order. In the year he was held,

Thomas tutored his sisters and communicated with members of the Dominican Order.

 Classroom plaque donated by the Solis Family-in memory of Manuel Solis