Mayor McCheese

The Church celebrates the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas on January 28! This powerhouse saint and Doctor of the Church 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 regularly use or recommend to a struggling friend. In one of his most notable works, "Summa Theologiae," Saint Thomas Aquinas provided five powerful remedies for overcoming sadness (refer to "Summa Theologiae," I-II, q. 38). "Pints with Aquinas" podcast host Matt Fradd discussed this in his book, “How to Be Happy: Saint Thomas’ Secret to a Good Life.” “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,” Fradd explained in an article for Christendom College. The article continued with an explanation of the sorrows Saint Thomas Aquinas detailed in his writings. “Aquinas, following Saint John Damascene, lists pity, anxiety, envy, and torpor as the species of sorrow.” Fradd also explained 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 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! 🙏 You can find the full article here: churchpop.com/overwhelmed-by…