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Ghost encounters are often talked about as we approach Halloween season, though typically the stories are told in such a fashion as to incite fear and goosebumps.
And what's more, the stories often aren't real. Catholics really do believe in ghosts, though, and some of our most famous saints have shared encounters with them.
St. Thomas Aquinas' encounters with ghosts were not something horrifying, but a surprise visit from a deceased friend.
Brother Romanus
Br. John Maria Devaney details this encounter in the Dominicana Journal, explaining how Aquinas was not aware that Brother Romanus had died. Initially Aquinas thought he was alive:
“Welcome Brother; when did you arrive?” To that Romanus replied, “I am, in fact, dead: but I have permission to visit you because of your merits.” Taken aback, Thomas asked if his own soul was in a state of grace. Romanus responded, assuring Thomas that his work was pleasing to God.
Romanus then explained how he spent 15 days in purgatory and was released due to Aquinas' prayers.
Aquinas was also informed that Romanus' sister was in purgatory and was later visited by her.
Theology on ghosts
In Catholicism, the word "ghost" can refer to a departed soul, whether they are in Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.
St. Thomas Aquinas elaborates on these separated souls in a supplement to his Summa Theologiae:
[A]ccording to the disposition of Divine providence separated souls sometimes come forth from their abode and appear to men, as Augustine, in the book quoted above, relates of the martyr Felix who appeared visibly to the people of Nola when they were besieged by the barbarians. It is also credible that this may occur sometimes to the damned, and that for man's instruction and intimidation they be permitted to appear to the living; or again in order to seek our suffrages, as to those who are detained in purgatory, as evidenced by many instances related in the fourth book of the Dialogues.
Souls from purgatory may appear to us to ask us for our prayers, while souls in Hell may also appear, to instruct us or put the fear of God in our hearts. Those in Heaven can appear to us as well, for our spiritual benefit. In all cases God must allow it through his divine will.
These types of ghosts are not to be confused with demonic spirits, who may appear as ghosts in order to intimidate us and lead us away from God. Such encounters are rare, and typically only occur when we intentionally open the door to a demonic influence.
While sometimes theology is only speculation, it appears that Aquinas' theology on ghosts was informed by personal experience, having been visited by ghosts for the benefit of his own soul.
