I have done many things in my life. I traveled on a rail pass through Europe. I learned to drive on the left side of the road in Japan. I know how to clean and cook squid. I read Boswell's "Life of Johnson". I graduated from a very challenging bachelor's program and I earned my RN degree in an one year while doing an accelerated program. I have shoveled gravel, put up drywall and was the general contractor for my house renovation. Despite all these adventures, there is one thing I have NOT done: I have NOT taken physics; this omission has become a very current regret.
My son is very mechanically inclined. He loves science. When he didn't make it into Honors Chemistry, he had two choices: Science for people who don't like science or physics. We chose physics and it has been brutal. Happily he has a superb teacher who has help him hone his math skills. Last semester he brought his failing grade up to 79, just one point from a B! Thank you, Jesus! I spent most of this year praying, not for an "A", but for his hard work to bear fruit. The physics angst in my house got me thinking...Is there a patron saint of physics? To my delight, there is. Meet Albert the Great, patron saint of scientists.
Though many clerics, in particular Jesuits, have been quite learned, Albert Magnus (1206-1280), a German Dominican friar, stands out because of the scope of his knowledge. Catholic Online notes that he knew chemistry, astrology, biology, theology, physics (my personal favorite), zoology, geography and metaphysics. He espoused two very modern ideas: Experimentation and the scientific method. Many scholars of the day simply used discussion and theory while Albert used observation and experiment. His forward leaning views got him accused of witchcraft, but he managed to weather the storm.
The Catholic tradition sees saints as friends who have gone before us. They know the trials of this life. We call on them as friends and experts. Now that I have found my science ally, Albert the Great, I will be lighting a candle and whispering a prayer for physics intercession as needed. Be blessed my friends.
My son is very mechanically inclined. He loves science. When he didn't make it into Honors Chemistry, he had two choices: Science for people who don't like science or physics. We chose physics and it has been brutal. Happily he has a superb teacher who has help him hone his math skills. Last semester he brought his failing grade up to 79, just one point from a B! Thank you, Jesus! I spent most of this year praying, not for an "A", but for his hard work to bear fruit. The physics angst in my house got me thinking...Is there a patron saint of physics? To my delight, there is. Meet Albert the Great, patron saint of scientists.
Though many clerics, in particular Jesuits, have been quite learned, Albert Magnus (1206-1280), a German Dominican friar, stands out because of the scope of his knowledge. Catholic Online notes that he knew chemistry, astrology, biology, theology, physics (my personal favorite), zoology, geography and metaphysics. He espoused two very modern ideas: Experimentation and the scientific method. Many scholars of the day simply used discussion and theory while Albert used observation and experiment. His forward leaning views got him accused of witchcraft, but he managed to weather the storm.
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