A gift used well, then taken

His father was well off, so Albert could go to the best schools - which he did.

While he was in college, however, he happened to hear a powerful preacher who was in town.

It changed Albert's life...

...at least partly: Albert would stay in school, but he would soon be begging in the streets as well: renouncing his inheritance in imitation of Christ’s poverty.

Albert's mind was powerful and wide-ranging. He not only became an authoritative theologian and philosopher, but eventually one of the most famous scientists in the world. He also mentored a young man who would become one of the most famous theologians and philosophers of all time. Albert would also be the bishop of a diocese.

Then, toward the end of his life, having given up everything to follow Christ, Albert lost his most treasured possession: that amazing gift God had given him.

Although a clinical diagnosis would not be possible, Alzheimer's disease (or something very much like it) took away Albert's incredible intellect.

Yet nothing could take away what this friar had accomplished, and history would remember him well, even after he could remember nothing, as "Albert the Great."

St. Albert the Great - Dominican friar, bishop of Cologne, doctor of the Church, and mentor of St. Thomas Aquinas - died on this very day in 1280.

(adapted from an earlier post)