This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color green .
Saint Albert the Great, a revered Bishop and Doctor of the Church, is celebrated for his profound integration of Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology and his pioneering contributions to natural sciences, notably as the teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Saint Albert the Great, a prominent 13th-century German Dominican friar, bishop, and Doctor of the Church, is widely esteemed for his comprehensive scholarship and groundbreaking efforts to synthesize Aristotelian thought with Christian doctrine. His immense intellectual curiosity led him to write extensively across diverse fields including philosophy, theology, biology, physics, and astronomy, earning him the title 'Doctor Universalis' due to his encyclopedic knowledge. As the esteemed teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Albert profoundly influenced scholasticism, laying foundational intellectual frameworks for future generations. Recognized for his innovative scientific methodology and keen observation of the natural world, he was later declared the patron saint of natural scientists, embodying the pursuit of truth through both faith and reason within the life and Church.
Saint Albert the Great, born Albert von Bollstädt around 1200 in Lauingen, Swabia, within the Holy Roman Empire, emerged from a noble German family, destined for a life that would profoundly shape Western intellectual and spiritual traditions. His early education led him to the renowned University of Padua, where he was exposed to the burgeoning intellectual currents of the 13th century. It was in this vibrant academic environment that he encountered the nascent Dominican Order, a relatively new mendicant order dedicated to preaching and study. Inspired by the fervent preaching of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the second Master General of the Dominicans, Albert felt a profound call to religious life, choosing to enter the Order in 1223. This decision marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey that would see him become one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church, celebrated for his intellectual prowess and his deep faith.
In the quiet cloisters of the Dominican priory, where the scent of parchment mingled with the faint aroma of herbs from the garden, lived Saint Albert the Great, a mind as vast and intricate as the cosmos he sought to understand. While his primary devotion was to God and sacred theology, Albert possessed an insatiable curiosity for the natural world, a thirst for knowledge that pushed the boundaries of his era. He delved into alchemy, botany, zoology, and mechanics with the same fervor he applied to Aristotle and the Scriptures. It was this latter passion that gave birth to one of the most remarkable and perplexing legends surrounding him: the creation of a talking head.
For thirty long years, so the story goes, Albert toiled in secret within his laboratory, a sanctuary of gears, levers, and strange substances. His magnum opus, a mechanical automaton in the form of a human head fashioned from bronze and brass, was designed not as a mere curiosity, but as a testament to the order and ingenuity of God's creation, a marvel of engineering capable of uttering words. The whispers of its existence spread, though few dared to approach the master's private chambers, fearing the unknown.
One day, the brilliant but earnest young Thomas Aquinas, Albert's most devoted student, was left alone in the master's study. Perhaps out of curiosity, or simply by chance, he stumbled upon the hidden mechanism. As he observed it, the metallic head, with eyes that seemed to hold a flicker of life, suddenly spoke, its voice a strange, resonant hum echoing through the room. "What do you desire?" it intoned, or some similar startling phrase.
Young Thomas, whose prodigious intellect was firmly rooted in theology and philosophy, had not yet fully grasped the depths of his master's scientific experimentation. Confronted by this uncanny, speaking artifact, his heart seized with terror. To him, it could be nothing other than a demonic contrivance, a product of sorcery, an abomination against God. Without a moment's hesitation, driven by pious zeal and fear, Thomas seized a hammer and, with a swift, decisive blow, smashed the intricate automaton into countless pieces, silencing its eerie voice forever.
When Albert returned to his study and beheld the wreckage of his life's mechanical work, a profound sigh escaped his lips. He looked at his guilt-ridden student, not with anger, but with a deep, almost paternal sadness. "Thomas," he said, his voice tinged with resignation, "you have destroyed the work of thirty years!" Yet, he understood. He knew that his pioneering scientific endeavors, so far ahead of their time, could easily be misunderstood as something unholy by those less accustomed to the integration of faith and reason in such practical forms.
This legend, while perhaps more fable than historical fact, beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Saint Albert the Great. It highlights his extraordinary intellectual breadth, his willingness to explore the frontiers of knowledge in an age where such pursuits could be met with suspicion. It also reveals his profound patience and understanding, even when his most brilliant creations were shattered by the very disciples he sought to enlighten. It reminds us that for Albert, all truth, whether revealed in Scripture or discovered in nature, ultimately pointed back to the Divine Creator, and that the pursuit of knowledge was, in its deepest sense, an act of worship.
Mid-13th century (circa 1256-1270)
Since it is our intention to discuss plants, it is necessary first to distinguish the different kinds of plants and to set forth their proper definitions, so that we may have a clear understanding of what we are dealing with. For just as in other sciences, so also in the science of plants, the first step towards perfect knowledge is the clear and distinct apprehension of the subject matter. And because plants are natural bodies, their properties and operations must be investigated through the principles of natural philosophy, which considers bodies in motion and at rest, and their causes. Moreover, since plants are living bodies, though of the lowest grade of life, they possess certain vital operations, such as nourishment, growth, and reproduction, which must be understood according to the principles of the science of the soul, in so far as the vegetative soul is the principle of these operations. Therefore, in this work, we shall proceed by considering, first, the common properties of plants, which pertain to them as natural bodies; secondly, their specific differences, by which they are distinguished into various kinds; thirdly, their parts and their functions; and fourthly, their generation and corruption, and the external influences which affect them. And in all these considerations, we shall endeavor to follow the path of experience and observation, for it is by means of the senses that we first apprehend the things of nature, and it is by careful observation and experiment that we confirm or correct our intellectual understanding. For the natural scientist must not only learn from books, but must also inquire diligently into the things themselves, and test by experience what he has learned from others. For the ultimate aim of natural science is not simply to accept the statements of others, but to investigate the causes that are at work in nature. And this investigation requires diligent observation and careful experimentation, so that we may arrive at a true and certain knowledge of natural things. For the works of nature are the works of divine art, and by studying them, we can come to a deeper understanding of the wisdom and power of God. Therefore, let no one despise the study of natural things, for in them is revealed the wisdom of the Creator, and by them are we led to contemplate the divine goodness. For the book of nature is written by the finger of God, and in it are contained many truths which, if diligently sought, can lead us to a greater love and knowledge of God. And therefore, we shall proceed in this work by first describing the common genus of plants, and then descending to their species and individual differences, always striving to base our descriptions on direct observation and experience, and to refer everything to its proper cause. For without a knowledge of causes, there is no true knowledge, and without experience, there is no certain knowledge of natural things. And so, let us begin our inquiry into the nature of plants, trusting in the guidance of divine wisdom, and relying on the evidence of our senses and the light of reason.
March 10, 2010
Today, I would like to speak about St Albert the Great, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church. The title 'Great' (Magnus) with which he has come down to history indicates the vastness and excellence of his doctrine, which he poured forth in numerous works. He was born in Germany, in Lauingen, on the Danube, between 1193 and 1206. He entered the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, and studied in Padua and Paris. He taught in various theological schools of his Order, in Cologne and Paris, and for a short period was also Bishop of Regensburg. He died in Cologne in 1280 and was canonized in 1931 by Pope Pius XI, who also proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church. In 1941, Pope Pius XII designated him Patron of students of the natural sciences. His vast cultural interests led him to cultivate almost all branches of knowledge of his time: he ranged from logic to metaphysics, from the philosophy of nature to ethics, from theology to exegesis. His extraordinary scientific knowledge, however, never separated him from faith. On the contrary, he always sought to demonstrate the profound harmony between reason and faith, between natural and supernatural knowledge, convinced that nature itself, with its laws and its order, is a reflection of God the Creator. Thus, he wrote: 'The divine wisdom... has disposed all things in due measure, number, and weight' (De coelo et mundo, 1, 3, 7). St Albert reminds us that the study of the sciences is a path to holiness and that reason, illuminated by faith, can elevate us to the contemplation of God. His life teaches us that true wisdom consists in seeking God in all things, in recognizing his presence in creation, and in offering our intellect and our will to him. He was a pioneer in the dialogue between faith and reason, a dialogue that is so necessary today. He knew how to combine the demands of scientific research with the demands of faith, proving that they are not contradictory but complementary. Albert the Great was a man of prayer, a mystic, who found in contemplation the source of his profound wisdom. His famous student, Thomas Aquinas, said of him: 'He was so great in philosophy that he was able to explain all parts of it; so great in theology that he was able to solve all the difficulties of this science; so great in knowledge of the sacred Scriptures that he was able to interpret them in all their mystical meanings; so great in natural science that he was able to investigate all the secrets of nature.' This testimony of St Thomas shows the high esteem in which Albert was held by his contemporaries and by his most illustrious disciple. Albert's work remains a beacon for all who seek to reconcile knowledge and faith, science and spirituality, reminding us that all truth, wherever it is found, ultimately comes from God.
Commemoration and special observances within academic and scientific institutions, often involving special Masses, lectures, or symposia, particularly in Catholic universities and schools with strong science or philosophy programs.
Saint Albert the Great is widely recognized as the patron saint of natural scientists and students due to his profound contributions to integrating faith and reason and his pioneering work in natural philosophy and empirical observation. His feast day is a fitting occasion to honor his intellectual legacy and encourage the pursuit of truth through both theological and scientific inquiry.
This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color white .