Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus to be included in the General Roman CalendarHoly priests: Saint Dominic of GuzmanYour life
St. John of Avila was born on January 6, 1499, in Almodovar del Campo (Ciudad Real). At the age of 14 he began studying law at the University of Salamanca, which he abandoned at the end of the fourth year due to a spiritual conversion experience, so he decided to return to his family home.
With the purpose of becoming a priest, in 1520 he began his studies of Arts and Theology at the University of Alcalá de Henares, and was ordained in 1526. He decided to go as a missionary to America and for this purpose he moved to Seville to embark for the New World.
However, the bishop of this city, convinced of the great qualities of the young priest, asked him to remain in his service. Because of a misinterpreted preaching, in 1531 he was denounced to the Inquisition and imprisoned. Once absolved in 1533, he moved to Cordoba and was incardinated in this diocese. Concerned about the formation of candidates for the priesthood, he founded several minor and major colleges which, after the Council of Trent, became Seminaries. He also founded the University of Baeza (Jaén), which for centuries was an important point of reference for the formation of clerics and laymen.
After having traveled through Andalusia and other regions of Spain preaching, in 1554 he retired definitively to Montilla (Córdoba). Accompanied by his disciples and friends, with a Crucifix in his hands, he died in that city on May 10, 1569.
He was beatified by Leo XIII on April 6, 1894. Named Patron of the Spanish secular clergy by Pius XII on July 2, 1946. Canonized by St. Paul VI on May 31, 1970. On October 7, 2012 Benedict XVI proclaimed St. John of Avila a Doctor of the Church.
His writings
Although he was above all a great preacher and spiritual director, he also made masterful use of the pen to expound his teachings. His main work is entitled Audi, filiaa systematic and complete treatise on the spiritual life, which has become a classic of spirituality. The Catechism or Christian Doctrineis a pedagogical synthesis of the content of faith. In the Treatise on the love of GodThe mystery of the Incarnate Word and Redeemer is profoundly penetrated by the mystery of the Incarnate Word and Redeemer. The Treatise on the priesthood is a compendium of priestly spirituality.
There are two reform submissions Memorials to the Council of Trent and the Warnings to the Council of Toledo. The Sermons y Talksas well as the EpistolaryHis biblical commentaries - from the Letter to the Galatians to the First Letter of John - are systematic expositions of remarkable biblical depth and great pastoral value. His biblical commentaries - from the Letter to the Galatians to the First Letter of St. John - are systematic expositions of remarkable biblical depth and great pastoral value.
Ecclesiastical influence of his magisterium
St. John of Avila exerted a great ecclesial influence, not only through his writings, but also through his disciples, a large group of almost one hundred, which has been called "the priestly school of Master Avila", who spread the doctrine of the Master with their preaching and catechesis throughout Spain. His most important disciple is Fray Luis de Granada (†1588), who quotes him often and extensively. It was he who wrote 19 years after the saint's death his first biography: "Vida del Padre Maestro Juan de Ávila" (Madrid 1588).
St. John of Avila was the most consulted priest in 16th century Spain. Almost all the great Spanish saints of the Golden Age received his advice and in some cases, he was their spiritual director. For example, St. Teresa of Jesus, in difficult times, asked him for his opinion on the "Book of Life" (1562). After having read the manuscript, he wrote her a letter in which he approved her doctrine and recognized the divine origin of the extraordinary mystical phenomena of the saint. This letter consoled her a lot and after having received it, she wrote: "Master Avila writes to me at length, and he is satisfied with everything; he only says that it is necessary to declare some things more and to change the words of others, which is easy".
Master Avila was invited to participate in the second convocation of the Council of Trent (1551) by the Archbishop of Granada, but he was unable to attend because of his illness. The influence of his doctrine in this Council was highlighted by St. Paul VI in the homily of the Mass for the Canonization (May 31, 1970), where he affirmed: "He could not participate personally in the Council because of his precarious health; but his is a well known Memorial, entitled Reformation of the Ecclesiastical State (1551), which the Archbishop of Granada, Pedro Guerrero, will make his own at the Council of Trent, with general applause. The Council of Trent adopted decisions that he had advocated long before".
The writings of St. John of Avila have left an indelible mark on the life of the Church. From his most widely read book, Audi, filiaAs Cardinal Astorga, Archbishop of Toledo, said: "This book has converted more souls than it has letters".
About the priesthood
His doctrine on the priesthood has been widely disseminated, both directly and indirectly, by means of a treatise that was an enormous success, entitled Instruction for priests, taken from Sacred Scripture, the Holy Fathers and the Holy Doctors of the Church. (Burgos 1612), by the Carthusian Antonio de Molina (†1619). In this book, the author continually quotes the works of the saint and copies entire paragraphs without quoting him explicitly, and says of Master Avila: "A holy and venerable man, a man of great perfection, and very high spirit, and rare wisdom, a holy and apostolic man, who with the very high spirit he had, and the great light with which the Holy Spirit enlightened him, showed how important and necessary it is for priests to be very given to the spirit of prayer".
The influence of Master Avila can also be seen in other successful spiritual authors, such as the Jesuit Luis de la Puente (†1624), who, in the third volume of his work Of the perfection of the Christian in all his states (Pamplona 1616), takes many things from the saint's doctrine. Also St. Francis de Sales (†1622) often quotes paragraphs from the Audi, filiain its Introduction to the devotional life. He is also frequently cited in the works of St. Alphonsus Liguori (†1787). Finally, one more example of this influence is found in the works of St. Anthony Mary Claret (†1870), who quotes abundantly from Master Avila.
