Saint Albert the Great (c.1200-1280) was a Dominican friar, who served as Archbishop of the German city of Regensberg. Reputed to be the most learned man of his time, one of Albert's greatest distinctions is that he was the principal teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 'Angelic Doctor'. Albert's corpus of writings is vast and all-encompassing. A true polymath, he was an expert not only on theology, philosophy and Sacred Scripture, but also on chemistry, medicine, botany, zoology and astronomy. It is very appropriate, therefore, that he is known as the 'Doctor Universalis, ' or Universal Doctor. His feast day is November 15.
"Growing in virtue becomes easier when you know exactly what each
virtue truly is, and its fake counterpart. Then we know what virtue
we need to ask from God. Paradise of the Soul, explains,
encourages, and warns all followers of the Lord Jesus with a short
meditation. Then, if someone does not know how to pray very well,
St. Albert, the professor of St. Thomas Aquinas, guides us with
prayer as he might have with St. Thomas. What a timely masterpiece
written eight hundred years ago from a doctor of the Church." --Fr.
Basil Cole, OP, author of Angelic Virtues and Demonic Vices:
Aquinas's Practical Principles for Reaching Heaven and Avoiding
Hell
"In forty-two brief chapters, St. Albert the Great provides us with
an invaluable aid for developing the necessary dispositions of the
spiritual life. With clear explanations accompanied by heartfelt
prayers, the 'Universal Doctor' of the Church helps us clear away
vice and cultivate the virtues that constitute the beginning of
Paradise. A treasure-chest of insight and wisdom for everyone."
--Fr. Ezra Sullivan, OP, author of Heroic Habits: Discovering the
Soul's Potential for Greatness
"St. Albert's treatise is a treasury of spiritual help for us
today. Although written in medieval times, it presents the classic
virtues in a simple and humble way, very accessible and very much
needed in modern times. St. Albert offers profound insight into the
truth about these virtues, as well as some gifts or characteristics
that we do not often think of as virtues, with fantastic examples
from Scripture and the saints. With excellent practical advice, St.
Albert also provides signs and effects of the virtues while
alerting the reader to signs of counterfeit virtues and possible
pitfalls. Most of all, he gives prayers for each virtue which are
quite beautiful and pedagogical. Thank you for the service of
re-translating this valuable work, which gives us a great insight
into the soul of the teacher of Thomas Aquinas." -- Sister Mary
Angelica Neenan, OP, Theology Professor at the University of
Dallas
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