T he University of Santo Tomas and the Emergence of Thomism in the Far East

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, founded in 1611, is the oldest existing university in the Philippines and Asia and has long been a bulwark of Catholic education. Over its four centuries of existence, UST has upheld the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas as a cornerstone of its academic and spiritual mission. However, the reception and influence of Thomism at UST and its contributions to the broader Thomistic tradition remain underexplored. This study examines UST’s pivotal role in the emergence of Thomism in the Far East, positioning the university as a key force in shaping Thomistic thought outside of Europe. The article focuses on the university’s first century, from its founding through the 1700s, to understand how Thomism took root in the region. This study seeks to confirm and elaborate on its central contribution to the spread of Thomistic thought in the New World and the Far East.