Albert the Great November 15
Si. .4Ibrrt the Great is the patron of all natural sciences arta' throe scientists who ,stridy them.
A1.111...R I was first and foremost is great master of philosophy and to he a philosopher in thc 13th century was to be knowledgeable .1Iso about metaphysics. mathematics. logic. ethics and the physical sciences. His contemporaries were impressed by his erudition and hie marshalling of facts. Long before his death mep called him -die great" "the universal doctor-. 'a man no less than god-like in tII knowledge so that he may filly be called thc wonder and miracle of our age".
Albert was born of noble parentage in a castle on the Danube. 1-k studied at Padua University and there decided to join the Order of Friars Preachers under the direction of Blessed Jordan of Sit‘011y Whtl was then the master of the Order.
Alherl's father vvas none too pleased at the news and threatened to remove his son by force, if need he. from the friary at Padua. Albert was discreetly moved to Cologne and his father calmed down.
The German province soon discovered that in Albert they had a brilliant teacher and Albert discovered in the young Thomas Aquinas that he had a brilliant student. The two were transferred In Paris where Albert took his doctor's degree and Thomas his bachelor's. After three years at this centre of learning the two returned itiof sCt.oudioyg.nc to set up a new place Here Albert began to write as
eel1 as lecture. Thirty-eight
volumes of philosophy as well as treatises on biblical and theological subjects came from his pen. He became the world's authority on physics. geography (he found the world to he spherical in shape). astronomy. mineralogy. chemistry (called alchemy) and biology. He traced the courses of the mountains across Europe. explained the influences that determined climate and applied Aristotle's methods and principles to the study of theology. doing the pioneer work on the scholastic system which
• lhomas. his pupil, perfected.
He went to Rome to defend his Order from outside attacks and there became the Pope's personal theologian. Later he was appointed bishop of Ratisbon, resigning after two years and returning. thankfully free from administration. to his studies in Cologne. He preached a crusade, supported the Hapsburgs against Castile. worked for the reunion of the Greeks and made his last public appearance defending the teachings of his pupil Thomas Aquinas who had predeceased him.
Suddenly. one day while lecturing his students his memory failed. -This sad condition of mind worsened and two years of inactivity passed before he died quietly and without any illness sitting in his chair.
Iris Con lay
(Copyright)