House of Aquino
House Color: Royal Blue
Feast Day: January 28
Motto: Non Nisi Te (Nothing but You)
Symbol: The OxSt Thomas Aquinas' contemporaries described him as "tall, erect, large, and well-built." This description, combined with a quiet and humble demeanor, earned him a nickname from his classmates, the "dumb ox." His teacher, Albert the Great, famously said: "We call this man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world."
Crest:
House of Aquino's royal blue signifies wisdom and timelessness. The center of the shield is emblazoned with the Eucharist in the monstrance, signifying St. Thomas's great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the immense contributions he made to the Church's explanation of sacramental theology. The Angelic Doctor's prolific writings, including the Summa Theologiae, are signified by the open book, with an inscription from Aquinas' commentary on the nature of God. Ex nihilo, nihil fit - nothing comes from nothing - forms the crux of Aquinas' famous five proofs for the existence of an omnipotent, eternal God. The House of Aquino's motto is taken from an anecdote near the end of the saint's life. Jesus appeared to Thomas, saying, "Thomas, you have written well of me; what would you have?" The humble Dominican replied: Non nisi te - "Nothing but You, Lord!"
Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
A statue of St. Thomas Aquinas is located outside St. Thomas Aquinas Hall on the first floor, a room specially dedicated to our Bioethics department. The philosophical teachings of St. Thomas provide a foundation for our Bioethics classes.