St. Thomas Aquinas Converts Two Jewish Rabbis.

St. Thomas Aquinas was invited by the Dominican, Cardinal Richard Hannibaldo di Hannibaldi, to visit him in his country villa of molars. There he found two Jewish Rabbis, who were as well known in Rome for their attachment to the religion in which they had been educated.

St. Thomas could not long be in their society without trying to convert them, and was soon engaged in an animated controversy. His we’re no mean opponents; they pleaded their cause with eloquence, learning and earnestness. But all they could say was met by clear proofs, put before them in the purest spirit of christian charity. The debate ended, apparently with no result, they appear to be so unshakeably wedded to their opinions that all he could say produced no effect upon their hearts. They however promised to return to the villa on the following day. Then the Saint betook himself to prayer. It was Christmas eve, and he spent the whole night in contemplating the new born babe of Bethlehem, and prayed Him, who came into this world for no other purpose than to save sinners, not to let these perish. His prayed was heard, for on the following day, they returned with tears in their eyes, no longer dispute, but to ask holy Baptism from who had opened their minds to the truth. St. Thomas Aquinas, Ora Pro Nobis