For the first time in 750 years, the face of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential Catholic theologians and philosophers, has been reconstructed using modern forensic technology. Scientists have used his skull to digitally recreate his features, providing the world with a glimpse of the patron saint of education. Additionally, new research suggests that a traumatic brain injury, rather than illness or poisoning, was the likely cause of his death.
A Saint Who Shaped Catholic Thought
St. Thomas Aquinas profoundly shaped Catholic doctrine, offering logical proofs for the existence of God and harmonizing faith with reason. According to The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, he is considered “the most influential thinker of the medieval period.” His work in Summa Theologica remains a cornerstone of Catholic theology, and his teachings continue to influence the Church’s understanding of morality, natural law, and governance.
His impact was not limited to theology. He also influenced secular philosophy by linking morality to human nature and shaping ideas about human liberty and government authority. As theologian José Luis Lira explains, “Scholasticism, which reconciles Christianity with a system of rational thought, especially that of Greek philosophy, has as its essential work Aquinas’ Summa Theologica.”
Reconstructing His Face After Centuries
A team of researchers, led by Cicero Moraes, undertook the task of reconstructing St. Thomas Aquinas’ face from his skull. “We initially reconstructed the skull from photographic and structural data,” Moraes explained. However, they faced challenges as “the skull did not have teeth or a jaw, so we had to project these structures based on measurements taken from CT scans of the skulls of living individuals.”
Using a combination of techniques, including anatomical deformation—where the face and skull of a living donor were virtually adjusted to match Aquinas’ dimensions—the team successfully approximated his features. “In the end, we combined all this data to create the basic bust and also generate a colored version, based on the iconography of the saint,” Moraes said. The final result, he noted, was a “humble” face, reflecting the character of the great saint.
The Mystery of His Death Solved?
For centuries, the cause of Aquinas’ death in 1274 has been debated. Some accounts suggested illness, while others speculated assassination or poisoning. However, new research, published in World Neurosurgery by doctors Gabriel LeBeau, Abdul-Rahman Alkiswani, Paul Camarata, and theologian Daniel Mauro, suggests a different cause: a chronic subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between the brain and the skull.
This conclusion is based on historical accounts describing how Aquinas hit his head on a fallen tree while traveling to the Second Council of Lyon. According to the study, “Most chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are preceded by some form of minor to moderate head injury.” The researchers argue that Aquinas’ “violent collision with the tree on the Via Latina marked the beginning of his demise,” leading to a gradual decline over several weeks before his death at the Abbey of Fossanova.
Honoring His Legacy
The unveiling of St. Thomas Aquinas’ face is more than just a scientific achievement—it is a powerful reminder of his enduring influence on the Catholic Church and the world. His works continue to guide Catholic thought, and his life of holiness and intellectual pursuit remains an inspiration for the faithful.
As this research sheds new light on his final days, it reaffirms the importance of Aquinas’ mission: to seek truth through faith and reason, a pursuit that continues to shape the Catholic intellectual tradition today.
(Sources: World Neurosurgery, The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, statements from Cicero Moraes, José Luis Lira, and other researchers involved in the study.)