The Angelic Doctor

By Jacques Maritain “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” The Angelic Doctor, first published in 1931, presents the essential elements of the personality and influence of Aquinas, whose wisdom “is running on the highways of the world before the footsteps of God.” In four concise chapters, Jacques Maritain reflects on Aquinas as “The Saint” whose study and scholarship was wholeheartedly dedicated to God; “The Wise Architect” who collected “the vital cords through which wisdom continues among men”; “The Apostle of Our Time” whose championing of truth can remedy contemporary ills; and “The Common Doctor” whose doctrine the Church has recommended to all truth-seekers. The final chapter segues into the Appendix of three papal documents on Aquinas: Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, Pius X’s Doctoris Angelici, and Pius XI’s Studiorum Ducem. 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