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by Brother Hermenegild Tosf (Editor), Henry Joseph Pflugbeil Opr (Author)
If, as some writer has said, "Unrest is the characteristic of our age," is it less true to affirm that our craving after knowledge is not confined exclusively to the profane sciences? In the domain of literature we find many turning from the vague, insipid writings of the day to the more solid intellectual food of medieval times. And nowhere is this more apparent than in our devotions. The old and familiar "Six Sundays" of the youthful Aloysius, the June devotion of all Ca tholie schools and colleges, are now to be yearly preceded by those of the "Angel of the Schools." As St. Thomas Aquinas is held to be par excellence the great theologian of the Catholic Church, nay, even the Doctor by whom her later Doctors were guided in their writings, we are safe in yielding to the impulse to choose him for our special patron of science and study. And could we better show our earnestness as clients than by meditating on his life, his virtues, his own mode of study, and the motives that actuated every thought of his vast mind, every movement of his noble heart? The precious little volume before us is destined to do a big work in its English costume. It has been translated for all that wish to warm their heart in the rays of this great, theological sun; for all that desire to enjoy the special protection and intercession of the saint; for all that would find a practical aid in their devotion. The "Six Sundays " of St. Thomas, properly made, cannot fail, in colleges especially, to recruit the army of the Lord. Our youth will be in Spirited by the example of so valiant a champion to follow in his footsteps and make piety the foundation of learning. Who, upon reading the story of St. Thomas's investiture with the Holy Girdle, would not ambition enrolment in the "Angelic Militia," of which he is the noble leader? Who would not aspire to gird themselves with his Cord to which are annexed so many powerful auxiliaries for the combat, so many rewards for the victory? The Hymns and Prayers of the Angelic Doctor, the Daily Devotions of Father von Cochem at the end of the little book, are treasures of piety well calculated to stir up devotion in the coldest heart and quicken the fervor of the most devout. May this gem of Manuals find a place in every school and college and household of our broad, fair land, and may saints be multiplied by its use!
