Albertus Magnus

Who they were

Albert was born in Germany around 1200 into the family of the counts of Bollstadt, and studied at Padua, Bologna and Venice. Studying theology at Cologne, he nearly lost his faith; his devotion to Our Lady saved him. In Italy he met the Dominicans and received the habit from Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St Dominic's successor.

He taught at Cologne and Paris, where his best pupil was Thomas Aquinas, whom he took back to Cologne to found the Dominican house of studies. Together they commented on Dionysius and on Aristotle's natural philosophy, joining the wisdom of the saints, human learning and natural science. He was called 'the Great' in his own lifetime, and later became bishop of Regensburg.

The miracles

Pius XI canonised him and proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church on the same day.

Why that counted as sanctity

Albert turned all human knowledge, from nature to philosophy, toward the eternal Wisdom, and passed on that love of truth to St Thomas.

Connected on this site

• Augustine of Hippo Saint Influenced them
• Thomas Aquinas Saint Pupil, Influenced by them
  “He taught at Cologne and Paris, where his best pupil was Thomas Aquinas, whom he took back to Cologne to found the Dominican house of studies.” — this site's research
• Jordan of Saxony Blessed Teacher
  “In Italy he met the Dominicans and received the habit from Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St Dominic's successor.” — this site's research