129 pages – Suggested weeks to complete 8-12 weeks minimum
Table of Contents
Chapter One – Introduction
Chapter Two – God and the Human Soul and Body
Chapter Three – Human Faculties and the Creation of Human Beings
Chapter Four – Men and Women, Made in the Image of God
Chapter Five – Human Destiny and Human Action
Chapter Six – Human Passions
Chapter Seven – Concupiscible Passions: Love and Hatred, Desire and Aversion, Delight and Sorrow
Chapter Eight – Irascible Passions: Hope and Despair, Fear and Daring, and Anger
A sample two-hour session
7:00 p.m. – Hellos
7:15–7:20 p.m. – Opening Prayer
7:20–7:40 p.m. – Read
7:40–8:00 p.m. – Discuss
8:00 p.m. – Break
8:10–8:30 p.m. – Read
8:30–8:50 p.m. – Discuss
8:50 p.m. – Closing Prayers/Announcements
9:00 p.m. – Goodbyes
Supplemental resources
- Audio Chapter 1 of Aquinas for Beginners Part I
- Summa Theologiae Online – Thomistic Institute
- Summa Theologiae Online – New Advent
- Pints with Aquinas
- Aquinas 101
- Thomistic Institute
- The Virtue of Leisure: Laura interviews Simone!
- The Vice of Sloth: Laura interviews Simone!
- The Four Cardinal Virtues: Annette interviews Simone!
- Aquinas for Beginners Part I and II YouTube Playlist
- Philosophy & Theology YouTube Playlist
- Course on St. Thomas Aquinas for Beginners|Catholic Exchange
- The Virtuous Life: An Interview with Endow Host Teresa Hodgins on Aquinas for Beginners Parts I and II
Paying it forward
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The Endow mission is right up my alley and I am so happy to see how well you all are spreading the word and giving women an opportunity to learn and engage with the intellectual aspects of our faith.
Ruth
Pope St. John Paul II said, “the Church has been justified in consistently proposing St. Thomas as a master of thought and a model of the right way to pursue theology.” Here we explore what Aquinas has to teach us about the virtues and theory and the essential purpose of living the moral life as Catholic women.
Navigating the study
This study is one of our most crucial and profound since the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas is the Church’s supreme philosophical and theological touchstone. Although there are 8 chapters, we recommend a minimum of 12 weeks to complete this study. A few quick notes for facilitators of this study:
- You will be studying the thought of St. Thomas in his masterpiece work the Summa Theologiae which you can easily access online.
- There are many discussion questions in this study guide and it is not expected that there will be time to answer all of them.
- Remember quality over quantity.
The commentary is written by Susan Selner-Wright, Ph.D.
How to get started
Step one – Register your group
Step two – Subscribe to the Endow Newsletter and ask your group to do the same!
Step three – Join us for our next virtual event. Check out our Events page.
The Endow team is here to support you in studying this important document! For an initial 20-minute Zoom meeting with us, please contact [email protected] with the subject line “Mentoring meeting”
We are here to support you
Throughout your study, as spiritual, theological, or pastoral questions arise, please contact Simone Rizkallah, Director of Program Growth, for support and additional resources to answer any questions that may arise! Please also consider emailing her testimonies from your group! We love to hear what the Lord is doing with your women!
Aquinas for Beginners Part I promotional kit