The Summa Illuminated

This Catholic book provides a clear and accessible introduction to one of the most important theological works in history, St. Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica. Although interest in Aquinas’s thought continues to grow, many readers find the depth and complexity of the Summa challenging without guidance. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, OP, a leading expert on Aquinas’s theology and philosophy, offers a concise and approachable guide that explains the structure of the Summa, clarifies its key concepts and terminology, and reveals Aquinas’s overarching purpose, showing how its parts fit together as a unified whole.

Following the original organization of the Summa, Fr. Cuddy leads readers through its major themes: God and creation, the human person’s journey toward God through law, grace, and virtue, and Jesus Christ and the sacraments. By the end of the book, readers are equipped with the essential understanding needed to confidently engage with Aquinas’s masterpiece and grasp the central ideas of the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Softcover, 171 pages. Printed in USA.