Saint Albert the Great

Saint Albert the Great was born in Germany, in 1206, into a military family that had high expectations for him in a military or administrative career. However, from a young age, Alberto showed a great interest in natural sciences and dedicated himself to the study of the so-called “liberal arts”.

During his stay in Padua, he attended the church of the Dominicans, where he demonstrated his devotion to the Virgin Mary and found his way to religious life. Thus, in 1223, Alberto joined the Dominican family, in order to immerse himself in studies, holiness and the apostolate.

After his priestly ordination, Alberto was assigned to teach in several theological study centers linked to the convents of the Dominican Fathers. His intellectual abilities allowed him to further his theology studies at the famous University of Paris. From then on, Alberto dedicated himself to writing.

In 1248, he was tasked with opening a theological studio in Cologne, Germany, where he lived for a few years. It was there that he met his most talented student, Thomas Aquinas, with whom he developed a great friendship that contributed greatly to the development of science.

In 1254, Alberto was elected Superior of the Teutonia Province of the Dominican Fathers, which covered communities spread across Central and Northern Europe. He stood out for his zeal in visiting communities and exhorting his brothers to be faithful to the teachings of Saint Dominic.

Later, Pope Alexander IV recognized Albert’s gifts and called him to work alongside him in Anagni, Rome and Viterbo. Albert was appointed Bishop of Regensburg, in a diocese that was facing difficulties. During his ministry as bishop, he worked to bring peace and concord to the region.

Between 1263 and 1264, Alberto preached in Germany and Bohemia, fulfilling the order of Pope Urban IV. After that, he returned to the Colony and dedicated himself again to studying and writing.

In 1274, he was summoned by Pope Gregory X to promote union between the Latin and Greek Churches, after the great schism in the East. Alberto clarified the thinking of Thomas Aquinas, who had faced objections and even unjustifiable condemnations.

Alberto’s devotion to studies resulted in great contributions to the Church. His works filled 38 volumes and his testimony spread throughout the Church, presenting an example of how to live faith in harmony with reason. Alberto died in 1280, in the cell of his convent of Santa Cruz, in Colônia.

He was beatified in 1622 and canonized in 1931, when Pope Pius XI proclaimed him Doctor of the Church. Ten years later, Pius XII declared him Patron Saint of those cultivating the natural sciences.

One of Saint Albert’s great merits was his study of the works of Aristotle, believing that everything that is rational is compatible with the faith revealed in the Holy Scriptures. He contributed to the formation of an autonomous philosophy, distinct from theology, but united by the search for truth. Through his contributions, Alberto established a clear distinction between philosophy and theology, which together can help discover the true vocation of the human being.