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Saint Albert the Great

1206–1280

Saint Albert the Great, 1206–1280

November 15

Saint Albert was a German priest. He was very smart. He liked to learn about God’s world. He looked carefully at spider webs. He studied the stars and the way they move. He spent hours looking at plants and watching animals. He even wrote a book on how to take care of falcons! Because of all the things he knew, he was given the title “the Great.” Saint Albert loved all creation because it was made by God.

Discuss: Name one thing you like to look at when you are outside in God’s world.

Saint Albert was a German priest. He was very smart. He liked to learn about God’s world. He looked carefully at spider webs. He studied the stars and the way they move. He spent hours looking at plants and watching animals. He even wrote a book on how to take care of falcons! Because of all the things he knew, he was given the title “the Great.” Saint Albert loved all creation because it was made by God.

Albert was a teacher of another Saint, Thomas Aquinas. He enjoyed teaching and learning about astronomy, geography, science, and math. Albert is called a Doctor of the Church because the things he wrote and taught were very important to the Catholic Church.

Saint Albert is the patron of miners and naturalists, people who study nature. He is often shown wearing his Dominican robes.

Activity

Walking in God’s World
Bodily/Kinesthetic

Explain to the child that Saint Albert the Great recognized that God made a beautiful world. He not only noticed, but he studied the mystery and beauty of God’s world.

  • Have the child join you for a walk outside in God’s world.
  • Have them take a pencil and paper and take notes about what they see. Help them with spelling.
  • When the child has returned to the meeting place, have them read their notes and discuss what they saw and why they were interested in that particular thing.
  • Conclude by saying this prayer:
    • Saint Albert the Great, pray for us, that our eyes be open and aware of our surroundings and all that God has given us. Let us show thanks and give praise to God for all that he has created. Amen.