Feast of Saint Albert the Great

By Christina Hermoso

The Roman Catholic Church will honor on Thursday the memory of Saint Albert the Great (San Alberto Magno), the patron saint of scientists and philosophers.

(PINTEREST/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Commemorative masses, novenas, and special prayers will be held in several Catholic churches in many parts of the world in honor of the venerated German saint.

Known as the Universal Doctor in recognition of his extraordinary genius and extensive knowledge in sacred and secular sciences, St. Albert once served as the provincial superior of the Dominican Order. He also served as bishop of Ratisbon in his native Germany.

Considered as the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages, St. Albert advocated for the peaceful co-existence of science and religion. As a teacher, he wrote more than 40 books on science and theology. Among his early students was St. Thomas Aquinas.

Born in 1206 in Lauingen, Germany, he was ordained priest in 1223. He died in 1280 and was canonized in 1931 by Pope Pius XI.