That Christ should suffer the death of the cross

"THIS kind of death was especially suitable in order to atone for the sin of our first parent, which was the plucking of the apple from the forbidden tree against God's command. And so, to atone for that sin, it was fitting that Christ should suffer by being fastened to a tree, as if restoring what Adam had purloined; according to Psalm 68:5: "Then did I pay that which I took not away." Hence Augustine says in a sermon on the Passion [Cf. Serm. ci De Tempore]: "Adam despised the command, plucking the apple from the tree: but all that Adam lost, Christ found upon the cross." "

~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 46, art. 4.
† Read more from the Summa

Crucifixion with Mourners and Sts Dominic and Thomas Aquinas (Cell 37),

by Fra Angelico. Fresco, 1441-42; Convento di San Marco, Florence.

Mary, Mediatrix of grace

"THERE is no reason why creatures should not be called mediators after a fashion, in that they co-operate in our reconciliation, disposing and ministering to men's union with God."

~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 26, a. 1.

Mediatrix of All Graces

La Madonna del Popolo, by Federico Fiori Barocci. 

Oil on panel, 1575-79; Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

"Mary was nearest to Christ"

September 12th: Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"CHRIST is the principle of grace, authoritatively as to His Godhead, instrumentally as to His humanity: whence (Jn 1:17) it is written: "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." But the Blessed Virgin Mary was nearest to Christ in His humanity: because He received His human nature from her. Therefore it was due to her to receive a greater fulness of grace than others."

~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 27, art. 5.

The Ghent Altarpiece: Virgin Mary (detail), by Jan van Eyck. 

Oil on wood, 1426-29; Cathedral of St. Bavo, Ghent.

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"THERE is no reason why creatures should not be called mediators after a fashion, in that they co-operate in our reconciliation, disposing and ministering to men's union with God."

~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 26, a. 1.

Mediatrix of All Graces

La Madonna del Popolo, by Federico Fiori Barocci. 

Oil on panel, 1575-79; Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

"There is no place for leisure in political activities"

"IT is obvious that there is no place for leisure in political activities. But a man wants something besides mere participation in politics, like positions of power and honor; and-since these objectives do not constitute the ultimate end, as was pointed out in the first book (60-72) it is rather fitting that by means of politics a person should wish to obtain happiness for himself and everyone else; happiness of this kind sought in political life is distinct from political life itself, and in fact we do seek it as something distinct. This is contemplative happiness to which the whole of political life seems directed; as long as the arrangement of political life establishes and preserves peace giving men the opportunity of contemplating truth."

~St. Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics, Bk 10, Lect. 11.

■ Online translation of the Commentary at DHS Priory.

■ Also, see this excellent translation from Dumb Ox Books at Amazon