His story is a very interesting one and one that resonates with many other saints -- and perhaps you and me -- as well.
You see, when Thomas was five years old, his parents gave him to the Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino because they had high hopes that Thomas would chose the Benedictine way of life and, perhaps, become great some day. Maybe even become the abbot of Monte Cassino.
Thomas, on the other hand, had other ideas.
He eventually left Monte Cassino and the Benedictines and joined the Dominicans.
His parents were beside themselves and they engineered Thomas' "kidnapping" by his brothers in the hopes that they could sway him from the Dominicans and have him return to and remain with the Benedictines.
It was not to be the case.
However, in the end, they did get their wish, in a manner of speaking. Their son did become great. His writings, which envelop the whole of Church theology, were and are critically acclaimed and a source of study for many in the Church even today.
So, let's review.
God has plans for us.
We have plans for us.
Other people have plans for us.
Whom should we follow?
All those who raised their hands for God, give yourselves a pat on the back!
