St Albert the Great--1207-1280

The brilliant German Dominican philosopher and theologian stood out from his contemporaries as a careful observer of nature. Albert mastered the recently translated works of Aristotle and strove to put into practice the principles of natural philosophy, confident that science and faith are not in conflict. Albert wrote extensive notes on many branches of science, made maps and charts, and experimented with plants and chemicals. To him is attributed the discovery of the element arsenic. He is considered the church patron of Natural Science and Scientists.

Albert’s further fame comes from his discovery of the immense genius of the young Dominican student Thomas of Aquino. Taking him under his wing Albert shaped the intellectual formation of Thomas and inspired him to be even greater than the one all Europe came to call “the Great.”

He was bishop of Ratisbon briefly, but resigned so that he could return to the classroom and his true love which was teaching. Albert outlived Thomas and as an old man came to the defense of his student when Thomas’ thought was brought under criticism. Albert’s Feast Day: November 15.

The symbols for St. Albert are the crosier of a bishop, the cap of the teacher and a large book. . He was named "Doctor Universalis" because of his encyclopedic knowledge and writings.