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My Way of Life
Popular devotional classic.
630 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
77 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Aquinas
2,546 books1,134 followersPhilosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and theologian of Italy and the most influential thinker of the medieval period, combined doctrine of Aristotle and elements of Neoplatonism, a system that Plotinus and his successors developed and based on that of Plato, within a context of Christian thought; his works include the
Summa contra gentiles
(1259-1264) and the
Summa theologiae
or theologica (1266-1273).
Saint Albertus Magnus taught Saint Thomas Aquinas.
People ably note this priest, sometimes styled of Aquin or Aquino, as a scholastic. The Roman Catholic tradition honors him as a "doctor of the Church."
Aquinas lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that obtained for centuries. This crisis flared just as people founded universities. Thomas after early studies at Montecassino moved to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican order. At Naples too, Thomas first extended contact with the new learning. He joined the Dominican order and then went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, formed out the monastic schools on the left bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master, Thomas defended the mendicant orders and of greater historical importance countered both the interpretations of Averroës of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result, a new modus vivendi between faith and philosophy, survived until the rise of the new physics. The Catholic Church over the centuries regularly and consistently reaffirmed the central importance of work of Thomas for understanding its teachings concerning the Christian revelation, and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource, now receiving increased recognition.
Saint Albertus Magnus taught Saint Thomas Aquinas.
People ably note this priest, sometimes styled of Aquin or Aquino, as a scholastic. The Roman Catholic tradition honors him as a "doctor of the Church."
Aquinas lived at a critical juncture of western culture when the arrival of the Aristotelian corpus in Latin translation reopened the question of the relation between faith and reason, calling into question the modus vivendi that obtained for centuries. This crisis flared just as people founded universities. Thomas after early studies at Montecassino moved to the University of Naples, where he met members of the new Dominican order. At Naples too, Thomas first extended contact with the new learning. He joined the Dominican order and then went north to study with Albertus Magnus, author of a paraphrase of the Aristotelian corpus. Thomas completed his studies at the University of Paris, formed out the monastic schools on the left bank and the cathedral school at Notre Dame. In two stints as a regent master, Thomas defended the mendicant orders and of greater historical importance countered both the interpretations of Averroës of Aristotle and the Franciscan tendency to reject Greek philosophy. The result, a new modus vivendi between faith and philosophy, survived until the rise of the new physics. The Catholic Church over the centuries regularly and consistently reaffirmed the central importance of work of Thomas for understanding its teachings concerning the Christian revelation, and his close textual commentaries on Aristotle represent a cultural resource, now receiving increased recognition.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2016
There are very few books in the world that are more difficult to get through than the "Summa Theologica" by St. Thomas Aquinas. Although the Summa is an unparelleled treasure of Catholic wisdom, it is very philosophical and dense and not to mention long. So when I heard that Thomistic scholar Father Walter Farrell wrote a synopsis of the Summa that is readable and inspiring, I was skeptical. But, having read it, this is one of my favorite inspirational books.
"My Way of Life" is not only a fair and accurate summary of the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, but it is written in a very readable way, a poetic and inspiring way. It is small enough to fit in one's pocket and can be easily used as a daily devotional guide. The book is composed of small paragraphs that can be taken as small prayer aids. And the English in this book is modern and interesting, no 'thees' and 'thous'. Fr. Farrell makes St. Thomas come alive in a way that I have not seen in any other author, and it's very accessible.
If you are interested in reading a great source of Catholic wisdom, you must get this book!
"My Way of Life" is not only a fair and accurate summary of the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, but it is written in a very readable way, a poetic and inspiring way. It is small enough to fit in one's pocket and can be easily used as a daily devotional guide. The book is composed of small paragraphs that can be taken as small prayer aids. And the English in this book is modern and interesting, no 'thees' and 'thous'. Fr. Farrell makes St. Thomas come alive in a way that I have not seen in any other author, and it's very accessible.
If you are interested in reading a great source of Catholic wisdom, you must get this book!
recommended
August 3, 2016This book was recommended by my friend, Lucy who said about this book: 'There is also a little book i think i mentioned to you before but not in our last email on this subject, which i think would be beneficial, it is My Way of Life published by the Confraternity of Precious Blood. You probably already have it. In any case, it is based on St. Thomas Aquinas' defense of the faith, the Summa Theologica. It is written in very clear and succinct form and i know you will gain much, pardon me, "ammunition" and knowledge from it.'
December 4, 2013
Been reading and digesting this book for years, as it is a summa of the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas. I started another review of it this year, reading about Thomas summation of the virtues. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2012
I think this is one of those books you pick up on a regular basis .... and tune into the matter of the moment at hand. The copy I have is green leather bound, Confraternity of the Precious Blood - Brooklyn N.Y. 1952, silk ribbon and autographed by a Fr. Joe (possibly the Director of the Confraternity.
March 2, 2021
This book is exceptional. Today's teachings of the faith are very weak. This book will teach you everything you need to know. I wrote a 20 page summary on this book and plan to share it with people I know who were not properly catechized.
May 4, 2022
"There is an old Latin saying: "Respice ad finem." It means "Look to the end." If our journey through Christian doctrine under the leadership of St. Thomas means anything, that meaning can be summed up in this saying: "Look to the end!""
A little book, but a WONDERFUL book, recommended to many. The first parts of the book were written by Walter Farrell OP STD - for me these were the best parts. The latter parts were written by Martin J. Healy STD - these were a good summary of teachings. All of it forms a whole, and all of it is very useful -> a little book to return to, possibly annually! I recommend purchasing a copy for yourself, or for a friend, while it is still in print, & then READ IT.
Peace and blessings to you wherever you may be / however you may be while reading this review. Amen!
A little book, but a WONDERFUL book, recommended to many. The first parts of the book were written by Walter Farrell OP STD - for me these were the best parts. The latter parts were written by Martin J. Healy STD - these were a good summary of teachings. All of it forms a whole, and all of it is very useful -> a little book to return to, possibly annually! I recommend purchasing a copy for yourself, or for a friend, while it is still in print, & then READ IT.
Peace and blessings to you wherever you may be / however you may be while reading this review. Amen!
November 23, 2024
y God’s Grace I have completed the reading of this beautiful book.
This book is a simplification of St Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. Actually it is an attempt to make philosophy prose. It is very satisfying.
This book is a simplification of St Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. Actually it is an attempt to make philosophy prose. It is very satisfying.
January 13, 2022
Good summary of St. Thomas Aquinas' theology in a practical and readable way. A little sexist/ableist in parts, so be warned.
November 1, 2024
Definitely not a quick or easy read, but well-worth diving into weighty theological concepts.
November 15, 2025
the whole Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas boiled down into a readable pocket-sized book. i recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews