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Saint Albert's Biography
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Our patron, Saint Albert
the Great, was a thirteenth century saint who was canonized
by Pope Pius
XI in 1931.
Born in 1206 is an area of southwestern Germany known
as Swabia, he came from a wealthy family who sent him
to be
educated at the University of Padua where an uncle of
his resided. His family became upset when Albert decided
to
join the Dominican community there, and Albert was discreetly
moved to a Dominican house in Cologne, Germany.There he
became a scholar in mathematics, ethics, and the physical
sciences and he wrote theological and biblical works.
He would also teach at the University of Paris and became
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of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a great Catholic theologian.
Albert also
served
as Superior of the Dominicans in Germany and he was called
to Rome by the Pope to serve as theologian and canonist
to the Holy Father. In 1260 he was appointed Bishop to
the Diocese of Regensburg in Germany. (The statue of
Saint Albert in our church has him dressed in bishop’s
robes.) Interestingly, of all his positions this was
the one that Albert found most difficult, and he resigned
his
episcopal office after only two years.
Saint Albert resumed his teaching career at Cologne, participated
as a theologian at the Council of Lyons in 1274, and would
travel to the University of Paris to defend the teachings
of his student Thomas Aquinas, who had preceded his teacher
in death. Albert lived a long life, although his last years
were marked by a decline in health and activity. He died
at Cologne on November 15, 1280--hence the date his feast
is observed. Saint Albert the Great is remembered as a
patron saint of students and scientists.
Each year we celebrate the feast of our patron on the Sunday
closest to November 15. Special events are usually planned
for that day. We also celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing
of the Sick on the Feast of Saint Albert the Great, remembering
the infirmities and sickness he endured at the end of his
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