The Angelicum is administered by the Dominican Order and is the order's central locus of Thomist theology and philosophy. The Angelicum is coeducational and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology, philosophy, canon law , and social sciences, as well as certificates and diplomas in related areas. Courses are offered in Italian and some in English.
The Angelicum is staffed by clergy and laity and serves both religious and lay students from around the world. The Angelicum has its roots in the Dominican mission to study and to teach truth. This mission is reflected in the order's motto, " Veritas ". The distinctively pedagogical character of the Dominican apostolate as intended by Saint Dominic de Guzman in at the birth of the order, "the first order instituted by the Church with an academic mission", [ 4 ] is succinctly expressed by another of the Order's mottos, contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere , to contemplate and to bear the fruits of contemplation to others.
Saint Dominic established priories focused on study and preaching that became the Order's first studia generalia , at the Parisian convent of St.
Jacques in , at Bologna in , at Palencia and Montpellier in , and at Oxford before his death in Hyacinth of Poland and companions Bl. Ceslaus , Herman of Germany, and Henry of Moravia were among the first to study at the studium of Santa Sabina where "sacred studies flourished". From its beginning the Santa Sabina studium played the special role of frequently providing papal theologians from among its members. Since its institution in the office of Master of the Sacred Palace has always been entrusted to a Friar of the Order of Preachers.
Annibaldi had completed his initial studies at the Santa Sabina studium conventuale and was later sent to the studium generale at Paris. At the general chapter of Valenciennes in Thomas Aquinas together with masters Bonushomo Britto, Florentius, Albert , and Peter took part in establishing a program of studies for novices and lectors including two years of philosophy, two years of fundamental theology, church history and canon law , and four years of theology.
