The Thomistic Institute St. Thomas Aquinas: His Life, Wisdom, and Relevance Today – Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, O.P.
Dec 2, 2025
Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, O.P., a Dominican priest and expert in Thomistic theology, explores the relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas today. He delves into misconceptions of medieval thought and highlights Aquinas’s integrated understanding of happiness, body, and soul. Dunlevy also discusses Aquinas's lifelong commitment to Scripture, his impactful commentaries, and the importance of Eucharistic devotion. Through personal anecdotes, he captures Aquinas-as-teacher, while addressing his contributions to liturgy and mystical theology.
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Relics Sparked Unexpected Devotion
- Fr. Irenaeus recounts guarding St. Thomas's relics and seeing thousands kneel, showing living devotion across ages.
- The crowds mixed scholars and the devout, demonstrating Aquinas's enduring personal and spiritual appeal.
Scripture Anchors Scholarly Rigour
- Aquinas combined rigorous philosophy with deep scriptural devotion rooted in Benedictine formation at Monte Cassino.
- His mastery of Scripture undergirds his philosophical theology rather than contradicting it.
Fourfold Sense Guides Reading
- Aquinas explains scripture via four senses: literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical with a clear hierarchy.
- The spiritual senses presuppose the literal, enabling prayerful, multi-layered reading of Scripture.
