The teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas hold a preeminent place in Catholic theology — some would say third only to Scripture and the Church Fathers. Dozens of popes have viewed him as a model of the faithful, rational theologian.

Where did St. Thomas derive his amazing insights? Obviously, God gifted him with an incredible intellect. Scripture and Aristotle's writings played a huge role. But we also need to look to the Angelic Doctor’s little-known teacher, who was also a saint.

St. Albert the Great (c. 1206–80) was a German Dominican friar and theologian who possessed a sharp mind that rivaled his more famous student. He left behind writings that share St. Thomas’ inclination to use the power of the mind — along with a devout faith — to understand the natural world and God’s divine revelation.

Here are a few facts about St. Albert the Great.

The Blessed Mother purportedly appeared to him — more than once!
The first time, she asked him to join the Dominican Order. The second time, he was struggling with theological studies and resolved to leave the order. After gently reprimanding him for not seeking her help, she opened his mind to better comprehend the mysteries of theology.

When you hear the word “pilgrimage,” you probably think of international destinations such as Jerusalem, Mexico City, or the Vatican. But there are actually dozens of pilgrimage sites in the United States that are definitely worth checking out!

Here are seven worthy contenders.

1. Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is so full of pilgrimage sites that we decided to make the city itself a destination. St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R., is buried in the National Shrine named after him. St. Katherine Drexel is interred at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Then there’s the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, the Miraculous Medal Shrine, and many more. You may want to plan a whole week in Philadelphia to see them all!

2. Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, Oklahoma City
If you’ve never heard of Blessed Stanely Rother, no worries. Many Catholics haven’t. He was an Oklahoma-born priest and missionary who was martyred in Guatemala in 1981. In addition to housing the remains of this heroic priest, the shrine includes a museum showcasing his life.

3. Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, St. Charles, Missouri
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a French missionary who brought formal education and a zeal for sharing the love of God to the Missouri frontier. Visitors to her shrine can pray before her burial site and view many of her possessions. Note that tours are available by appointment only.

Time is precious, and — let’s be honest — most of us would like to do more things than a full day allows.

So we have to make choices: Should I read a book or watch TV before bed? Should I relax at home or visit a friend on Saturday?

On the one hand, you should plan your day rather than let it slip by. On the other, you shouldn’t overplan it and leave no room for spontaneity.

Here are some tips for planning a fruitful day. Note: They don’t fully apply to everyone, as each person’s interests and temperament play a role in the decision-making process.

Start with what’s most important.
Often, your vocation reveals your priorities. If you’re married, your chief focus should be on your family members. Coming second is the work you do to support them (either by earning money or homemaking). If you're a parish priest, your parishioners’ spiritual welfare comes first.

Of course, all vocations should prioritize prayer, although not in the same way. A busy mother of six needs to pray each day, but obviously can’t spend as much time on that as a hermit. In fact, some saints chide laypeople for trying to act too much like religious, to the detriment of the daily work God calls them to do.

In general, it’s better to focus on people rather than tasks.
God made us to live in communion with other people, reflecting how He Himself is a communion of Persons.

We’re here to love and serve God and neighbor. Everything else is secondary. We should plan our days with this in mind. If you thrive by completing daily to-do lists, you could intentionally maintain some flexibility in case someone needs your presence, even if it’s just for a few minutes.