St. Albert the Great (c. 1206-1280)

Father of the Natural Sciences

If you are among those who think science and religion were at odds during the medieval period, you have yet to be introduced to Saint Albert the Great. Dubbed "The Great," by his contemporaries because of the scope and depth of his learning, he was recognized in his own lifetime and for centuries that followed as an authority on physics, geography, astronomy, mineralogy, chemistry, and biology.

Becoming a Dominican. Albert, the oldest son of the Count of Bollstadt, was born in the castle of Lauingen on the Danube River in southern Germany. At the age of 16, while studying at the University of Pauda in northern Italy, he met and was impressed by a group of Friars Preachers (later referred to as the “Dominicans” after their founder, Dominic de Guzman). Like many others of his time, Albert was drawn to this somewhat radical group. He left a life of ease, taking the vow of obedience to live a chaste and simple life as one of the Brethren.

Albert was received as a postulant by Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the immediate successor of Saint Dominic (Dominic de Guzman). Beginning all his study with prayer, Albert directed his life toward preaching the Word of God and working for the salvation of souls. As we have seen, he did not find this pursuit to conflict with the study of the natural sciences. After all, the natural world is God's creation.

Scientist and Theologian. Albert was ordained as a priest and spent much of his life teaching in Cologne and Paris. He continued to follow the dual role of scientist and theologian.

St. Albert was an expert geographer, his work receiving praise down to the modern period. He traced the chief mountain ranges of Europe, explained the influence of latitude on climate, and gave an excellent physical description of the earth, which he demonstrated by an elaborate argument to be spherical in shape. In all, he wrote 36 volumes on the natural sciences. It is little wonder he is referred to as the "Father of the Natural Sciences" or that Pope Pius XII proclaimed him the Patron of all Students and Researchers of the Natural Sciences (December 16, 1941).

Albert's great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament led him to do most of his theological writings on it. His expertise this area was also recognized, and in the late 1250's, he was appointed the pope's personal theologian and canonist. In 1260, Pope Alexander IV prevailed upon him to be consecrated Bishop of Regensburg. After a few years serving as Bishop, he resigned and returned to teaching at Cologne. In 1274, despite his failing health and shock over the sudden death of his former student, Thomas Aquinas, Albert took part in the Council of Lyons. There, he applied his influence to the reconciliation of the Orthodox Catholics with the See of Peter.

Teacher and Mentor. Albert's remarkable gifts of spiritual and intellectual eagerness as well as his investigative and highly scientific approach to all knowledge was passed along to his students -- the most famous of whom is St. Thomas Aquinas. Thomas built the foundations of a lasting scholastic philosophy and systematic theology, but it was his professor, Albert, who did the daring initial roadwork.

Death and Beatification. At the age of 73, Albert died among his religious brothers in Cologne on November 15, 1280. He was beatified in 1622.

PRAYER TO ST. ALBERT THE GREAT
God of Truth
you endowed our brother Albert
with the gift of combining human wisdom with divine faith.
May the pursuit of all human knowledge lead to a greater knowledge and love of you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Amen.