The feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas is January 28th!
This powerhouse saint and Church doctor left us with an outstanding amount of timeless knowledge.
His writings include ways to prove the existence of God, a comprehensive guide to vice and virtue, and even lifestyle tips we can use on a regular basis or recommend to a friend who is struggling.
In one of his most notable works, Summa Theologiae, he provides five powerful remedies for overcoming sadness (refer to Summa Theologiae, I-II, q. 38).
Podcast host Matt Fradd discusses this at length in his book, “How to Be Happy: Saint Thomas’ Secret to a Good Life.”
In an article for Christendom College, Fradd explains,
“No matter how good we have it, no matter how wealthy we are, or how many good friends we have, or even how holy we are, all of us will experience sorrow in this life”.
The article continues with an explanation of the sorrows Saint Thomas Aquinas detailed in his writings,
“Aquinas, following St. John Damascene, lists pity, anxiety, envy, and torpor as the species of sorrow.”
Fradd explains why the remedies presented by Aquinas are so important, and often counter cultural.
“In order to counteract these sorrows, Aquinas recommends five treatments that keep us from destructively turning inward. They orient us to some good that we can pursue, leading us to relief and eventually, a return to happiness.”
Next time you fall into sorrow, give one of these resolutions a try!
The helpful infographic below is a simplified way to use them in daily life.
5 Remedies for Sadness from St Thomas Aquinas
Indulge in something you like
Give yourself a good cry
Share your sorrow with a friend
Contemplate the truth
Rest and bathe
Prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas
The Prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas:
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!