www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Memorize the Faith!

Has anyone ever read anything about this technique of St. Thomas Aquinas?...

That�s why, over 700 years ago, St. Thomas Aquinas perfected an easy method for his students to memorize most any information, but especially the truths taught by Christ and His Church....

http://www.sophiainstitute.com/Merc...amp;Store_Code=SIP&Product_Code=17-3

Hello Pani Rose and others,

I'm so glad that your question on Memorize the Faith! drew my attention to this web site. I look forward to learning about the rich Byzantine tradition.

If you don't mind a response from the book's author, I'd like to address the connection with St. Thomas Aquinas. The history of this technique itself is really quite a story of Greco-Roman and later, Catholic development and synthesis.

The primary (but not only) memory system in my book, the method of loci,is usually attributed to the ancient Greeks, particularly Simonides as its discoverer and Aristotle as the great philosopher who mentioned it in several of his books (and who helped draw the attention of St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas many centuries later).

The technique itself was passed on to Aquinas primarily through a Latin book on rhetoric that was long attributed to the Roman, Cicero. St. Albert and St. Thomas were responsible largely for interpreting and passing on the method, for interpreting it in light of Aristole's writings on memory, and for converting its primary use from that of public speaking to the cultivation of the virtue of prudence (since memory had traditionally been considered one of the essential "parts" of prudence -- for to achieve virtuous goals in the future, we must act in the present, guided by what we have learned in the past.)

St. Thomas briefly addressed the technique in the Summa Theologica, second part of the second part, 49th question, article one, "Whether Memory is a Part of Prudence" (II-II, 49, 1). St. Albert the Great also addressed the technique in his book De Bono (On the Good) in his section on prudence.

I have tried to supply a modern adaptation of the technique to demonstrate how it can be used to memorize catechetical and virtually any other information.

I hope this is of some help.

Dr. Kevin Vost

Dr. Vost welcome to the Byzantine Forum!

I figured sooner or later some of our esteemed learners on here would pipe up. Never did I expect to get the book author. Totally cool!

We have two children, both young adults now, who struggle with dyslexia. The youngest has a lot of trouble with retention. I think that is what caught my eye to your book. I have always felt that if I could get him to memorize the Scriptures that his ability to retain would increase.

Gotta run will be back...

Dear Dr. Vost,

Welcome to our forum community!

Your book sounds fascinating. I look forward to reading it. I think that we all can benefit from having better memory...especially as we get older, or as we get bogged down with increasing stress and worries.

I do hope that we will continue to see your esteemed participation here!

Sincerely,
In Christ,
Alice, Moderator

I thank you folks for the welcomes. I've been looking around and thoroughly enjoying this forum already.

Regarding dyslexia, I can make no guarantees that this system would be of help in memorization, but I'd be surprised if it did not to some extent. I know some journals devoted to learning disabilities have reported on the use of the "keyword method," one of the techniques I describe. Chapter 2 of my book describes a case study where I trained a man with very specific brain damage from epilepsy and its surgical treatment, but every disability is different, of course.

I would also be most amenable to try to answer practical questions about how to apply the memory techniques with anyone's loved ones, should questions arise. My input would not constitute any kind of formal medical or psychological intervention, just general educational advice.

As for memory and aging, this is indeed a very big subject. My doctoral work in neuropsychology was done at a medical school's memory and aging clinic. The good news is that if one does not suffer from dementia, much memory ability can be maintained, and even improved in some areas later in life.

I also have a question for members. Being new to this forum, I wonder if people would suggest a good book or two to help give me a general background in this area -- something on the similarities and differences between the various Eastern rites of the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, for example. Are there any classics or new sensations out there?

Take care,

Kevin Vost

Hey,

I am going to order your book the first of the month. I really feel it is an answer to prayer. I have noticed our youngest - who is now 21 - getting things confused quite a bit more than in recent times. He has a wonderful outlook on life, but I know it bothers him. Also, what a blessing to have a hands on expert, I know all cases are different, but it is neat to be able just to ask.

We are glad you are enjoying the forum. This place is blessed in that, yes we sometims disagree, but because of love we work through it and usually come to an understanding of each other. We have awesome moderators - that are so very patient, yet like a good parent firm - that makes the difference also.

There are so many good books out there. If you go to the reading list that will help. However, one that is really easy to read - yet confounds the wise - is +Archbisop Joseph Raya of blessed memory. His book 'The Eyes of the Gospel' has just been reprinted. It really gives a good picture overall of where we came from as Church.

Pani Rose

Dear Dr Vost,

Can this method be used to memorize scriptural references?

Just wondering . . .

Alex

Alex,

Are you looking to become a Baptist?

Logos Teen

Hello All,

First of all, I'd just like to note that I really enjoy the icons/photos you include with your posts. I'll have to dig around and find out how that's done sometime. (And Logos Teen, perhaps I'm just displaying my ignorance, or is that Pope Pius?)

Pani Rose -- Thank you for suggestions on books. I will track down the one you mentioned and you may also feel free to ask me questions about mine.

Alex -- Yes to the question about scriptural references. Chapters 21 and 22 show how to recall all the books of the Old and New Testaments in order (forward and backward,in fact). Chapter 26 describes three more mnemonic systems. The first is a number/letter conversion system that shows how to convert chapter and verse numbers into words that can be memorized via visual images. The second is a technique to assist in memorizing the actual words of passages, prayers, creeds, etc. The third is for learning foreign language vocabulary (Greek, Latin, any other) through the "keyword" method of visual imagery mnemonics. Further, chapter 27, entitled "12 Red-Letter Sayings of Jesus Christ" provides further practice in the number conversion system by supplying complete instructions for the memorization of the exact locations (chapter and verse) of three of Jesus' statements from each of the Gospels, with the intention of showing how this can applied to any scriptural verses.

Logos Teen -- I enjoyed your comment on the Baptists implying their fondness for citing the Scriptures. It just so happens that a teen in my family just attended a ceremony where his friend's father became a Baptist deacon. And speaking of ecumenism, would you believe a Hindu friend just today gave me (a Roman Catholic) a copy of a recent Newsweek article on Billy Graham? (And a very good article it was.)

Pax et bonum
(Peace and goodness),

Kevin Vost

I must say, I was raised Southern Baptist, and oh so many years ago, could quote book, chapter, and verse However, it was not until I became Catholic that those book, chapters, and verses became 'animated'.

Upon coming into the Church the icon of the Last Supper above the Holy Doors became alive, it jumped off the page. Memorizing does not always mean that we understand or fully comprehend what has taken place in the Word of God. Although, all these years later, I so thankful to God that I was able to memorize them as they have born much fruit.

The Word of God must move from the head, to the heart and soul, otherwise they are just words. Our Heavenly Father says his Word will never return to him void, so when spoken it will always accomplish a purpose. However, someone trying to force words that were read and learned on someone else without love, can be a clanging cymbol. So if the Word of God is not shared and repeated with all the Love that Christ gave in His Words, then they can be for naught at that moment. Sometimes doing as much harm as good.

Scriptures must be alive in the soul of the person, then they bound forth, resounding from the tongue, professing the love that God has for mankind in the person of Jesus Christ through the power of his all Holy and Life Giving Spirit, bringing about conviction and conversion to and for the glory of God.

Pani Rose

Pani Rose,

That was beautifully stated.

Memory is important and it need not oppose deeply experiencing, living, and sharing one's faith, but it is just one part.

Your post calls to mind of one of the great lines from Thomas A'Kempis' Imitation of Christ:

To be well-versed in the Scripture and
all the sayings of the philosophers will
not profit you if you are without God's
love and his grace.

God bless you and yours,

Kevin Vost

Hey cool y'all, I got a neat add from Sophia Press on Dr. Kevin's book...

"They laughed when I said I could name all 27 books of the New Testament . . .
Memorize the Faith! (book cover)

...but after I named them all in order, plus the 46 books of the Old Testament, they begged me to show them how I did it."

Yes, I know that memorizing the Faith is no substitute for living a holy life, but even devout people can't live by truths and precepts they don't remember.

That's why, over 700 years ago, St. Thomas Aquinas perfected an easy method for his students to memorize most any information, but especially the truths taught by Christ and His Church.

As the years passed, our need for this ancient art of memorization grew, yet somehow our culture largely forgot it . . . which is why today, when you and I try to remember a list of things, we have to repeat their names over and over. Or, to remember to call the dentist, we tie a string on our finger. And we clutch at any means whatsoever to recall our passwords for ATMs, credit cards, and voicemail, our login names for Yahoo, eBay, and Amazon, and the host of other names and numbers that clog our minds and clutter our days.

Now, thanks to the delightful pages of Memorize the Faith!, you can easily keep all these in mind � and learn the Faith! - by tapping into the power of the classical memory system that helped St. Thomas become the Church's preeminent theologian, and made it easier for him to become one of its greatest saints.

Here, Catholic scholar Kevin Vost makes available again Aquinas's easy-to-learn method - the method Dr. Vost himself has used for decades to recall names, dates, phone numbers, the first dozen digits of pi (3.141592653589) and even whether, when his wife called him at work today, she asked him to bring home ice cream and toffee . . . or was it truffles and coffee?

Indeed, Dr. Vost will teach you to remember virtually anything, but he devotes most of his book to showing you how to improve your memory of Catholic truths so you can live the Faith better.

By the time you finish this book, you will have memorized dozens of key teachings of the Church, along with hundreds of precepts, traditions, theological terms, Scripture verses, and other elements of the Faith that every good Catholic needs to know by heart. Memory is the foundation of wisdom. It makes holiness easier. To grow wiser in the Faith . . . and holier . . . turn to Memorize the Faith! today.

* * *

Memorize the Faith! will teach you and your children how to remember anything, but it's particularly useful to those involved in religious education: catechists and converts, CCD teachers, RCIA members, and homeschoolers of all ages.

Here, Dr. Vost and St. Thomas Aquinas show you easy ways to memorize the following truths and precepts of our Faith, plus many more:

*

The 9 Beatitudes
*

The 12 Apostles
*

The 7 Virtues
*

The 7 Sacraments
*

The 4 Last Things
*

The 7 Capital Sins
*

The 10 Commandments
*

The 4 Marks of the Church
*

The 14 Stations of the Cross
*

The 5 Precepts of the Church
*

The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
*

The 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit
*

The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy
*

The 20 Mysteries of the Rosary
*

The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy
*

The 10 Holy Days of Obligation
*

The 6 Sins Against the Holy Spirit
*

The 5 Proofs for the Existence of God
*

The 27 Books of the New Testament
*

The 46 Books of the Old Testament
* And anything else you want to remember, from the 14 items on your grocery list to the birthdays of your 7 nephews and nieces!

Memorize the Faith!
(And Most Anything Else)
Using Methods Taught by the Great Catholic Medieval Memory Masters
by Kevin Vost, Psy.D
$17.95 272 pp paperback
1-800-888-9344 (Toll Free)
For more information, go to:
www.sophiainstitute.com [sophiainstitute.com]

Dear Kevin,

Then that's the book for me!

Alex

Yeah, I can't wait to read it either. The more I hear about it, the more I think it will be a true asset. Also, I plan to introduce it to my kids old homeschool group - I say old, cuz' our youngest is now 21 - but I think it would be a wonderful asset of Seaton, especially in the Special Needs Department.

Thanks Alex and Pani Rose.

I hope everyone on the forum knows they can contact me if any questions should arise about my book (and I'm definitely enjoying learning about Eastern traditions from forum members.)

Maybe it is well-known to most of you, but the icon web site at agapeicons.com just came to my attention and I found the icons fascinating and beautiful. (I don't think I've seen anything like the silver icons before.)

Here's another web site that's brand new that members might find interesting. It is lionheartapparel.com. Tarek Saab, who was featured on TV's Apprentice Show last fall is selling a line of clothing with beautiful Christian symbols from the Eastern and Western traditions (e.g., the chi-rho, various crosses, the fleur-du-lis, etc.) It also includes articles about Christian living for young adults and about Christianity in general (and I may have an article on the site in the weeks ahead).

God bless you all,

Kevin Vost