Any Tips for Reading "Summa Theologica"?

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Since I am abstaining from TV over Lent, I needed something to occupy my time with, so I splurged and bough Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquainas. I am going to start on it tonight, but before I did, I was wondering if anyone had any “tips” on reading it or if there is a certain way I should read it. Thanks!
 
I’m only a beginner myself, and am reading it via newadvent.org, a downloaded pdf file, and PalmReader on my PalmPilot. I tried reading it about a year ago, and didn’t understand the terminology very well (“first cause”, “prime mover”, etc.). Someone suggested Mortimer J Adler’s “Aristotle for Everybody” and it was a great help.

I started at it again a few weeks ago, and am into Question 16 of the First Part. I don’t understand it all, but I’m trying to slug my way through. I’m trying to do it one article per day, and I figured at that rate it should take me only 8 years.:crying:
 
I have THIS version of the Summa, and I’ve really been enjoying it. It’s not something I find that I can sit down and read like a novel. I have to read it in nibbles and let the nibbles settle in a bit before reading more.

~Liza
 
I read Kreeft’s “Summa of the Summa.” It’s good, with helpful footnotes, but since you already purchased the complete Summa Theologica, I don’t know if I would spend the time reading this book. Maybe you could bookmark your complete Summa where Kreeft’s book has the same Article included. That way, if you have difficulty while you’re reading the complete Summa, you can refer to Kreeft’s footnotes, etc.

Here’s a link to “Companion to the Summa” by Fr Farrell:
domcentral.org/farrell/companion/
I’ve only just started with it. I was hoping it was a simplified, article by article companion, but (as well as I can tell thusfar) Farrell summarizes several articles simultaneously.
 
Apparently I didn’t purchase the full version (since that appears to be in volumes and quite expensive). The one I have is Summa Theologica: A Concise Translation, edited by Timothy McDermott. (LINK) I have finally gotten through the preface and am onto the actual edited translation. So far it seems that the preface was harder reading than the actual book itself. The editor has changed some of the wording so that it is easier for the modern reader to understand (thank goodness). While I have still have to take my time, it appears this is a pretty good edition.
 
Kevin42 said:
Since I am abstaining from TV over Lent, I needed something to occupy my time with, so I splurged and bough Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquainas. I am going to start on it tonight, but before I did, I was wondering if anyone had any “tips” on reading it or if there is a certain way I should read it. Thanks!
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Tips:
  1. Read slowly. Do not expect to knock it off during one roller coaster ride. It will take at least two rides.
  2. Read the articles on substance, essence, etc., in the Catholic Encyclpedia.
  3. Get a hold of some of Aquinas’ reference materials. In Part One, Augustine’s work on the Trinity is one I really want to dig into.
  4. Read some of Aquinas’ other works. I am slowly working my way through his “Commentary on the Psalms.”
  5. Kreeft’s book is supposed to be really good. I haven’t gotten to it yet.
  6. Chesterton’s book on Aquinas is very good as well, supposedly the best ever written about it.
  7. There are a number of good Thomist works. There are also some poor ones. I don’t know the difference, frankly.
I’m doing the one question a day thing also. 🙂
 
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