Summa | St. Thomas Aquinas - Books + Ink + Straw

These scholastic scents of books, ink, and straw are inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas. He is the patron of students and universities. Thomas's feast day is January 28.

   

 

Does anyone deserve an amazing library scent more than Thomas? His prodigious theological works and Eucharistic hymns continue to give life to the Church, almost 800 years after his birth. It is said that he could dictate multiple works to multiple scribes, somehow keeping everything straight in his head.

    

 

Thomas is perhaps best known for his Summa Theologiae, but what is lesser known is that he left it unfinished. Toward the end of his life, he was given a vision of Christ, who spoke to him from a crucifix and said, "You have written well of me. What would you have for your labor?" Thomas replied, "Lord, nothing but You."

    

 

After this vision, Thomas stopped writing. When pressed by a fellow Dominican to finish his work, Thomas replied that compared to the glory of God he experienced, his work was as straw. Straw also calls to mind his nickname of the "Dumb Ox."

 

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.

Holy Men collection | 45+ hour burn time | 6 oz. candle