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Caritas Veritatis – Charity of Truth

Mission 

The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) has its roots in the mission of the Order of Preachers to study, teach, and preach the truth and mercy revealed in Christ. In keeping with the Dominican charism, its culture is characterized by confidence in the harmony between faith and reason and in the continuing relevance of the doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas as a “treasure for the development of Christian life.” Through its Faculties and Institutes, which grant academic degrees under the authority of the Holy See, the Angelicum seeks to form virtuous persons and leaders capable of evangelization and promoting integral human development. It also supports the research and public initiatives of its professors and students. Its mission is in service to the Order of Preachers, the Universal Church, and human culture at large.
Interior of the Basilica of Santa Sabina shows its long central nave with columns on either side.
The Basilica of Santa Sabina has been the headquarters of the Order of Preachers since 1222.

Our Origins

With the gift of the complex of Santa Sabina in Rome by Pope Honorius III to the newly formed Dominican Order in 1222, the first generation of friars founded the first studium conventuale, which would eventually grow into the Angelicum.

The distinctively educational character of the Dominican apostolate, as intended by Saint Dominic de Guzman in 1216, is
expressed by another of the Order’s mottos, “contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere” (to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation with others). 

Pope Honorius III approved the Order of Preachers in 1216-1217. On 21 January 1217, the papal bull “Gratiarum omnium” confirmed the Order’s teaching mission by granting its members the right to preach universally, a privilege formerly dependent on local episcopal authorization.

Centuries of Perseverance and Progress

The original Dominican studium continued at Santa Sabina for more than 60 years, including a period when the friar Thomas Aquinas taught there and began writing the Summa Theologiae. The Dominicans founded a second studium in Rome in 1288 at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Almost three centuries later, through the initiative of Bishop Juan de Solano, O.P.,  it became the College of St. Thomas. From 1727, the College was open to non-Dominicans too.

Following the unification of Italy, the College of St. Thomas was forced to leave its premises at the Minerva but persisted and expanded through the years of displacement, adding degree programs in philosophy as well as theology, founding the Faculty of Canon Law, and receiving the title of Pontifical in 1906 from Pope Pius X. 

In 1908, through the initiative of Master of the Order Hyacinthe Cormier, O.P., and with the approval of Pope Pius X, the Pontifical College of St. Thomas was renamed Pontifical International College Angelicum, termed a Studium Generalissimo of the Order with the express aim of renewing Thomistic studies in the Church. 

Pope John XXIII elevated the Angelicum to the rank of a pontifical university in 1963 with the bull Dominicianus Ordo, giving it the new name Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. In 1973, the University founded its fourth Faculty of Social Sciences. 
Historic drawing of Angelicum campus
An 18th-century view of the Church of Saints Dominic and Sixtus at center left, and the former Dominican monastery that now houses the Angelicum at center right.

History of Our Campus

The Angelicum’s campus is the former Monastery of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus. It was originally constructed in 1575 by order of Pope Pius V for the congregation of Dominican Nuns of St. Sisto Vecchio. In the 17th century, the Church of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus, a masterpiece of baroque architecture, was constructed adjacent to the monastery. After the complex was confiscated by the Italian state in the 19th century, the Order re-purchased it in 1927 as the new campus of the Angelicum. Following extensive renovations to the monastery, the College moved to its new campus in 1932. 
Pope John Paul II standing with clerics near Angelicum entrance

Angelicum Alumni

Saint John Paul II ranks as the most revered alumnus of the Angelicum. He is joined by dozens of graduates who are counted among the blesseds, martyrs, bishops, theologians, and leaders of the Church, most recently Pope Leo XIV.

Our Notable Alumni

Angelicum Timeline

1216-17
1222
1265-67
1288
1426
1567
1575
1577
1663
1698
1727
1870
1879
1882
1896
1897
1906
1908
1909
1923
1927
1932
1950
1955
1963
1964
1973

1216-17

The Dominican Order is officially approved by Pope Honorius III.

St. Dominic asking Pope Honorius III for permission to form the Order of Preachers

1222

The Studium Conventuale is founded at Santa Sabina.

Earliest known depiction of the crucifixion carved on door of the Basilica of Santa Sabina

1265-67

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches at the Studium at Santa Sabina, where he begins writing the Summa Theologiae.

This 14th-century altarpiece depicts St. Thomas Aquinas presenting his writing to Jesus.

1288

A second Dominican Studium in Rome is founded at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

The 15th-century painting ,The Triumph of St Thomas Aquinas, by the Florentine artist Filippino Lippi, in the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

1426

The Studium at the Minerva, after many years of flourishing, becomes a Studium Generale.

1567

Pope Pius V declares St. Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church with the bull Mirabilis Deus.

Pope Pius V praying the Rosary in front of an image of the the Madonna and Child.

1575

The Monastery of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus, the current Angelicum campus, is constructed by Order of Pope Pius V for the congregation of Dominican Nuns of S. Sisto Vecchio.

Drawing of 17th-century Convent of St. Sixtus

1577

The Collegium Divi Thomae de Urbe is founded to succeed the Studium at the Minerva by Bishop Juan de Solano, O.P., as a center of Thomistic studies to train both Dominicans of the Roman Province and beyond.

Exterior of the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva

1663

The Church of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus, the current church of the Angelicum, is constructed.

Watercolor painting of the church of Sts. Sixtus and Dominic.

1698

Cardinal Giuseppe Casanate donates a library of 25,000 volumes which becomes the Casanatense Library at the Minerva, to further the work of the College of St. Thomas. Today, it is part of the Library of the Italian Senate.

Exterior of the building that houses the Italian Senate

1727

Pope Benedict XIII grants the College the right to award degrees to non-Dominican students.

Pope Benedict XIII on horseback

1870

With the Unification of Italy and the suppression of religious orders, the College of St. Thomas is forced to leave its premises at the Minerva. In the following years, the College will change locations several times.

1879

Pope Leo XIII publishes the encyclical Aeterni Patris on the renewal of Christian philosophy through the thought of Thomas Aquinas, ushering in a novel interest in Thomistic studies.

Image of Pope Leo XIII at St. Thomas Aquinas

1882

The College begins granting degrees in Philosophy as well as Theology.

Stack of Philosophy books

1896

The Faculty of Canon Law is founded.

Stack of Canon Law books

1897

The College is formally recognized by the Italian state.

1906

Pope Pius X grants the college the title of Pontifical.

Pope Pius X seated out desk outdoors

1908

Through the initiative of Master of the Order Hyacinthe Cormier, OP, and with the approval of Pope Pius X, the Pontifical College of St. Thomas is renamed Pontifical International College Angelicum, termed a Studium Generalissimo of the Order with the express aim of renewing Thomistic studies in the Church.

Blessed Hyacinthe Cormier seated outdoors

1909

The Angelicum moves to a newly-built campus on via S. Vitale in Rome.

1923

Pope Pius XI publishes the encyclical Studiorum Ducem, on the importance of the doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas on the 600th anniversary of his canonization, and praises the work of the Angelicum in promoting his thought.

Painting of St. Thomas holding up the church

1927

The Dominican Order purchases the former Monastery of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus, which had been confiscated from the Dominican nuns by the Italian state in 1870, as the new campus of the Angelicum. Large-scale renovations under architect Tullio Passarelli begin as the monastery is adapted as an educational environment.

Black-and-white image showing Angelicum building before it was restored

1932

The College moves to its new campus at the former Monastery of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus.

Aerial image of the Church of Sts. Sixtus and Dominic and the Angelicum.

1950

The Institute of Spirituality is founded, with courses also open to laypeople.

1955

The Institute of Social Sciences is founded.

1963

With the bull Dominicianus Ordo Pope John XXIII elevates the Angelicum to the rank of a pontifical university, giving it the new name Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Pope John XXIII signing document

1964

The Higher Institute of Religious Sciences Mater Ecclesiae, founded by Dominican sisters in 1913, becomes part of the University.

Image on wall in St. Peter's Square of Mater Ecclesiae

1973

The Institute of Social Sciences becomes the University’s fourth Faculty.

Stack of Social Sciences books