Pope: prayers to St. Thomas Aquinas for youth, ill, couples

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis offered prayers for young people, and especially young Catholic scholars, on Wednesday, the day before the liturgical feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas.

A Dominican priest and Doctor of the Church, whose influence on Catholic theology and on intellectual history in the West is rivalled only by that of St. Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of Catholic schools.

Addressing young people, the sick, and newlyweds at the end of his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said, “Let [St. Thomas’] example push you, dear young people, to see in Jesus the one merciful life teacher.” He went on to say, “May his intercession obtain for you, dear sick people, serenity and peace in the mystery of the Cross.” Pope Francis also prayed, “May his doctrine be an encouragement for you, dear newlyweds, to entrust yourselves to the wisdom of the heart, that you might fulfil your mission.”