The Thomistic Institute Aquinas the Wordsmith: The Hymns and Sequence of Corpus Christi | Prof. Patrick Callahan
May 2, 2025
In this discussion, Patrick Callahan, Director of the Newman Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture, explores the poetic brilliance of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He examines Aquinas' views on beauty, emphasizing the importance of proportion and clarity in art and spirituality. Callahan dives into the intersection of art, language, and theology in Aquinas' hymns, revealing the richness of poetic devices and their deep theological meanings. The conversation uncovers how these elements enhance one's understanding of faith and devotion.
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Miracle of Bolsena Story
- A Polish priest doubted the Eucharist's reality and prayed for clarity, resulting in the host bleeding during Mass in 1263.
- This event, known as the miracle of Bolsena, influenced the promotion of the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Aquinas on Beauty and Goodness
- Aquinas teaches beauty equals goodness as both relate to form but differ in focus: goodness appeals to appetite, beauty to cognition.
- Beauty consists in due proportion, pleasing the senses and reason alike.
Three Qualities of Beauty
- Aquinas identifies three qualifications of beauty: due proportion (symmetry), clarity (claritas), and magnitude.
- Physical beauty fades but spiritual beauty (virtue in due proportion) increases with age, offering lasting radiance.