The skull of the influential 13th-century saint, Thomas Aquinas, is currently on a rare three-week tour of the eastern United States, offering Americans a unique opportunity to view a first-class relic. The tour, which coincides with the 750th anniversary of Aquinas's death, is a significant event for the Catholic Church, particularly for the Dominican Order, of which Aquinas was a member.
Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P., Assistant Director of the Thomistic Institute in Washington, D.C., emphasized the blessing of this visit, especially during this commemorative year. The Thomistic Institute, an academic institution associated with the Dominican House of Studies, plays a vital role in promoting the theological legacy of Aquinas.
The skull is housed in a special container known as a reliquary, designed for the safekeeping and veneration of sacred relics. Aquinas holds the esteemed title of Doctor of the Church, a designation granted to those who have made profound contributions to theological understanding and doctrine. The tour provides a chance to see this first-class relic – a physical part of the saint's body. Other types of relics include second-class relics (items used by the saint) and third-class relics (items touched to a first- or second-class relic).
While the concept of relics might be unfamiliar to some, Fr. Little explained their significance within Catholic tradition. From the early days of Christianity, the bodies of saints have symbolized faith, hope, and love, representing lives dedicated to God. The skull of Aquinas, in particular, serves as a potent reminder of his intellectual contributions to the Church through his scholarship. His most renowned work, the “Summa Theologica,” remains a cornerstone of Catholic theology.
Individuals visit relics for various reasons, seeking a spiritual connection and the intercession of the saint. One visitor, Amy Sawka, a homeschooling mother, expressed her hope that Aquinas would intercede for her family's educational endeavors.
The tour, which exclusively visits locations administered by Dominican friars, began at St. Dominic Church in Washington, D.C., and continues through various cities in the eastern United States until December 18th. The full itinerary includes stops in Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The visit of St. Thomas Aquinas's skull reminds us of his profound scholarly contributions to the Church.
