<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>After his death an intense struggle ensued for ownership of the relics of Thomas Aquinas. There were both pious and political motives for the desire to possess the bones of the saint. This article introduces the topic by describing the places where Aquinas’ relics can now be found. We then outline Aquinas’ own views on the veneration of relics, which is characterized by an appreciation of the practice but with great caution to avoid superstition. An historical overview of the fate of Aquinas’ relics sheds light on their significance, particularly in light of the canonization process. The final reflection considers the fate of Aquinas’ relics in light of his own theology.</p></abstract>

After his death an intense struggle ensued for ownership of the relics of Thomas Aquinas. There were both pious and political motives for the desire to possess the bones of the saint. This article introduces the topic by describing the places where Aquinas’ relics can now be found. We then outline Aquinas’ own views on the veneration of relics, which is characterized by an appreciation of the practice but with great caution to avoid superstition. An historical overview of the fate of Aquinas’ relics sheds light on their significance, particularly in light of the canonization process. The final reflection considers the fate of Aquinas’ relics in light of his own theology.

”Due honor to their relics”: Thomas Aquinas as Teacher and Object of Veneration

European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

After his death an intense struggle ensued for ownership of the relics of Thomas Aquinas. There were both pious and political motives for the desire to possess...

”Due honor to their relics”: Thomas Aquinas as Teacher and Object of Veneration

Published Online: Jun 26, 2019

Page range: 1 - 17

Received: Oct 23, 2018

Accepted: Nov 21, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ejsta-2019-0001

Keywords
relic veneration, Dominican history, medieval canonization process

© 2019 Anton ten Klooster, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

”Due honor to their relics”: Thomas Aquinas as Teacher and Object of Veneration

Published Online: Jun 26, 2019

Page range: 1 - 17

Received: Oct 23, 2018

Accepted: Nov 21, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ejsta-2019-0001

Keywordsrelic veneration, Dominican history, medieval canonization process

© 2019 Anton ten Klooster, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
relic veneration, Dominican history, medieval canonization process