Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Liturgical celebrations

In Catholic churches, priests wear white vestments during Mass to celebrate the feast. Liturgies include prayers that focus on wisdom, holiness, and the study of sacred doctrine. Congregations often sing Eucharistic hymns composed by Thomas Aquinas, such as Pange Lingua and Adoro Te Devote. The Liturgy of the Hours incorporates readings from his theological masterworks and reflections on his life. In the Anglican Communion, the occasion is marked as a Lesser Festival on 28 January, where his hymns are sometimes sung during evening prayer services.

Shifting dates and history

Pope John XXII canonised Thomas Aquinas in 1323, and the church originally fixed his feast on 7 March, the date of his death in 1274 at Fossanova Abbey. Because 7 March frequently falls during the fasting season of Lent, the Roman Catholic calendar was revised in 1969. The universal feast moved to 28 January to commemorate the 1369 transfer of his relics to Toulouse, France. Today, traditional Catholic communities and places tied to his early life continue to mark 7 March, while the general calendar keeps 28 January.

Academic and local customs

Because Aquinas is regarded as a patron of scholars, schools and universities hold special events for his feast. Dominican academic institutions host annual encomium lectures where invited scholars explore philosophy and theology. In Italy, towns such as Roccasecca and Fossanova hold processions that include the blessing of books. At the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, celebrations feature academic gatherings, processions, and the sharing of blessed bread among students and teachers. Pilgrims also travel to Toulouse to visit his shrine.

How Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas is kept

The observance begins with liturgical services in parishes and religious houses, where clergy celebrate Mass with special prayers honouring the saint. Choirs sing Aquinas's Eucharistic hymns during communion. Dominican communities mark the day with higher solemnity, organising scholarly lectures and theological discussions. In places housing his relics, especially Toulouse, pilgrims take part in veneration rites and processions. In Italian hometowns associated with his life, community members carry statues through streets and bring books to be blessed, while university communities share blessed bread.

When and where

The feast is widely observed on 28 January in the modern Roman Catholic calendar and the Anglican Communion. Traditional Dominican communities and local Italian parishes also celebrate on 7 March, the anniversary of the saint's death in 1274.

The observance takes place globally within Catholic and Anglican communities. It has strong ties to Toulouse in France, where his relics rest, as well as Roccasecca and Fossanova in Italy. Academic institutions worldwide, particularly Dominican universities such as those in Belgium, Britain, and the Philippines, also hold special gatherings.

What Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas means

The feast honours the harmonious balance between faith and human reason. For worshippers, Saint Thomas Aquinas represents clarity of thought, dedicated study, and deep devotion. Liturgical prayers reflect the desire to gain spiritual wisdom and imitate his pursuit of truth. Book blessings and scholarly lectures emphasise learning as a form of religious service.

Questions people ask about Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

See also

Stations of the CrossA Christian prayer journey following fourteen moments of the Passion of JesusNovenaA nine-day Christian prayer tradition for petitions, feasts, or mourning.Camino de SantiagoA Christian walking pilgrimage across Europe to the shrine of Saint James in SpainPresentation of MaryA Christian feast on November 21 marking a child's dedication to God in Jerusalem.

Good reading and sources

• Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.