origins of house name

Aquinas

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a 13th century Dominican Friar, philosopher and theologian and a pupil of the school's patron, St Albert the Great.. Aquinas is generally regarded as the greatest philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages. He was named a Doctor of the Church and given the title "Angelic Doctor".

He was an important advocate of the study of Aristotle, recently re-discovered, and against conservatives who wished a pagan author excluded from the universities. Renowned for his proofs for the existence of God, Aquinas believed that both faith and reason discover truth; a conflict between them is impossible since they both originate in God. He insisted on respect for truth, whoever spoke it.

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Jarrett

Fr Bede Jarrett (1881-1934) was a celebrated author and preacher. He wrote against social injustice, founded a mission in South Africa and was responsible for the return of the Dominicans to Oxford University.

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Lacordaire

Fr Henry Lacordaire (1802-1861) boldly initiated the return of the Dominicans to France, whence they had been excluded by anti-clerical laws. His reform saw a huge increase in the Order's influence and its numbers. He was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur.

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Lagrange

Fr Marie-Joseph Lagrange (1833-1938) founded the École Biblique, an outstanding institute for scripture study in Jerusalem. Despite considerable opposition (including an order from the Pope not to teach for some years), he emerged a hero of the revival of biblical studies in the Catholic Church. He was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur.

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De Vittoria

Fr Francis de Vittoria (died 1546) was a professor at Salamanca University at the time of the discovery of the Americas. A great defender of the native peoples, he wrote at length on justice and is regarded as "the Father of International Law".

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