Feast of Saint Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church. patron saint of scientists & 13th Century Google

November 15th is the Feast of Saint Albert the Great, a Doctor of the Church, patron saint of scientists, native German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist, and bishop, considered one of the greatest medieval philosophers and thinkers. Albert became known as Great because of his towering intellectual abilities; he was a respected philosopher, scientist, theologian and teacher, and was well-versed in Arabic culture, including Islam.

 One of his students, who later became a great friend and built upon his Scholastic method, was Saint Thomas Aquinas: Students of philosophy know him as the master of Thomas Aquinas. Albert’s attempt to understand Aristotle’s writings established the climate in which Thomas Aquinas developed his synthesis of Greek wisdom and Christian theology. 


He was known for Teaching of theology, Pioneering scholar of Aristotle, Systematic study of minerals and Discovery of the element arsenic. Fields of study included, Natural science, Alchem, Jurisprudence, Diplomacy, Theolog and  Natural philosophy

Saint Albert was canonized  December 16, 1931, Vatican City by Pope Pius XI. He is patron saint of Those who cultivate the natural sciences, medical technicians, philosophers, and scientists

He was the eldest son of a powerful and wealthy German lord of military rank. He was educated in the liberal arts. Despite fierce family opposition, he entered the Dominican novitiate.

His boundless interests prompted him to write a compendium of all knowledge: natural science, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics, and metaphysics. His explanation of learning took 20 years to complete. “Our intention,” he said, “is to make all the aforesaid parts of knowledge intelligible to the Latins.”

Prayers to Saint Albert the Great

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Albert the Great as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Albert the Great, you are honored as the patron saint of scientists. You devoted a lot of your life to studying science. You even studied the works of Muslim scientists in order to gain more knowledge.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God will bless and assist all scientists in their work.

Pray for us, that we may do all we can to glorify God in our work each day. Pray that we may always offer to God all that we do.

And we especially ask  your intercession for our necessities, tribulations and sufferings.

St. Albert the Great, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.