Friday, November 15, 2013

November 15: Saint Albert the Great

St. Albert the Great
Fresco by Tommaso da Modena

History

Albert the Great was not only a bishop, he was a scientist. During the 1200s, he was an expert in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, and mathematics. He was also a teacher – one of his most famous students was Saint Thomas Aquinas. Albert wrote many important things, and that’s why he was named a Doctor of the Church.

Activity

Albert the Great studied nature and did many interesting experiments. He also wrote about music, including how chant affected people by helping us get rid of unholy thoughts, think more deeply about God and try to love God more perfectly. He did not have any recording equipment because it hadn’t been invented yet, but if he had, he probably would have been thrilled to find out that if you record the sound of crickets and then play it back at a very slow speed, it sounds just like a choir chanting hymns of praise to God. Listen here.

Saint Albert the Great, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

No comments:

Post a Comment