The Catechetical Instructions of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Book cover: 'The Catechetical Instructions of Saint Thomas Aquinas'
Author(s): 
St. Thomas Aquinas
Translator(s): 
Rev. Joseph B. Collins, S.S., S.T.D.
Number of pages: 
239 pages
Copyright: 
1939
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

Saint Thomas provides beautiful explanations of the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Sacraments, the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary.

Sample passages:

"From all this then is seen the effect of the passion of Christ as a remedy for sin. But no less does it profit us as an example. St. Augustine says that the passion of christ can bring about a complete reformation of our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly need do nothing other than despise what Christ despised on the Cross, and desire what Christ desired. There is no virtue that did not have its example on the Cross."

"The plenitude of grace in Mary was such that its effects overflow upon all men. It is a great thing in a Saint when he has grace to bring about the salvation of many, but it is exceedingly wonderful when grace is of such abundance as to be sufficient for the salvation of all men in the world, and this is true of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin. Thus, 'a thousand bucklers,' that is, remedies against dangers, 'hang therefrom.' Likewise, in every work of virtue one can have her as one's helper. Of her it was spoken: ' In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue.' Therefore, Mary is full of grace, exceeding the Angels in this fullness and very fittingly is she called 'Mary' which means 'in herself enlightened': 'The Lord will fill thy soul with brightness.' And she will illumine others throughout the world, for which reason she is compared to the sun and the moon."

The text contains an error regarding the Immaculate Conception (which was not defined as dogma until well after the time of St. Thomas Aquinas). While the error is corrected in the footnotes, the issue is very important and needs to be clearly understood.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Written in the 1200s, this English edition has a 1939 Imprimatur.

Update from the webmaster, March 2024: This book is available from a variety of sources because its text is in the public domain. The Click here for the full text of the Catechetical Instructions, at the Internet Archive.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1-20-01