Saint Thomas Aquinas is one of the most important theologians in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Born around 1225 in Naples, his parents were the Count and Countess of Aquino, a noble family that was related to Henry VI and Frederic II. At the age of five, Thomas was sent to the Benedictine Monks to be educated. From 1240 until 1243, he worked with the Order of St. Dominic. His family, unhappy with his decision to enter into a religious order, attempted to kidnap him and force him to return home, but he hid in a fortress to preserve his religious vocation and devotion to God. Aquinas received his Doctor of Theology from the University of Paris and was admitted to the priesthood. He was noted for his powerful sermons which were filled with piety. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 60 important works including Summa Contra Gentiles, a systematization of Latin theology. Summa Theologica, his last and most important work, is the doctrinal foundation for all teaching in the Roman Catholic Church. It uses Aristotelian logic as a means of argument and reasoning for important Church beliefs. Saint Thomas Aquinas died in 1274, leaving this last work to be completed by Reginald of Pipemo, an ardent follower. Aquinas was canonized in 1323 and declared patron of Catholic schools in 1880.