Sep 22, 2016

β›ͺ Saint Thomas of Villanova: The Father of the Poor


✝️ Saint Thomas of Villanova, OSA

Religious β€’ Bishop β€’ Confessor

πŸ•ŠοΈ Birth Name: TomΓ‘s GarcΓ­a y MartΓ­nez
πŸ“ Born: 1488, Villanueva de los Infantes, Ciudad Real, Spain

⚰️ Died: 8 September 1555
πŸ“ Place: Valencia, Spain

πŸ™ Venerated in: Catholic Church
🌟 Beatified: 7 October 1618, by Pope Paul V
🌟 Canonized: 1 November 1658, by Pope Alexander VII

πŸŽ‰ Feast Day: 22 September

Attributes: A bishop distributing alms to the poor

β›ͺ Patronage:
– Danao, Cebu
– Santolan, Pasig
– Alimodian and Miag-ao, Iloilo
– Dao, Capiz
– Villanova University

β€œThe Father of the Poor, who gave all for love of Christ.”

 Saint Thomas of Villanova was born in 1488 in Fuenllana, a small village in the province of Ciudad Real, Castile, Spain, to Alonzo Tomas GarcΓ­a, a miller, and Lucia MartΓ­nez Castellanos. Raised in Villanueva de los Infantes, a nearby town from which he took his name, Thomas grew up in a devout and charitable household. His father regularly distributed food to the poor, a practice that deeply influenced young Thomas. As a child, he was known to give away his own clothes to those in need, often going about barefoot or scantily clad to help the less fortunate, despite his family’s relative wealth.

At the age of 16, Thomas enrolled at the University of AlcalΓ‘ de Henares, a prestigious center of learning founded by Cardinal Cisneros. There, he excelled in arts, logic, philosophy, and theology, earning a reputation as a brilliant scholar. By his mid-20s, he became a professor at AlcalΓ‘, teaching these subjects despite a noted absentmindedness and poor memory, traits that endeared him to students for his humility. His academic success led to an offer for a chair of philosophy at the University of Salamanca, but Thomas declined, feeling a deeper call to religious life.

Joining the Augustinians: A New Path

In 1516, at the age of 28, Thomas joined the Order of Saint Augustine in Salamanca, drawn to their emphasis on community, simplicity, and the β€œmiddle way” of spiritual balance. He professed his vows in 1517 and was ordained a priest in 1518, celebrating his first Mass on Christmas Day of that year. His entry into the Augustinians marked a turning point, as he embraced a life of chastity, poverty, and obedience, giving away much of his inherited wealth to the poor and sick.

Thomas quickly became renowned for his eloquent preaching, which captivated audiences in Salamanca’s churches. His sermons, particularly the famous Sermon on the Love of God, are considered masterpieces of 16th-century sacred oratory. Emperor Charles V, upon hearing him preach, reportedly exclaimed, β€œThis monsignor can move even the stones!” Thomas’s preaching combined theological depth with a passionate call to holiness, often criticizing the moral failings of clergy and laity alike, including the cruelty of bullfighting and the laxity of some bishops.

Leadership in the Augustinian Order

Within the Augustinian Order, Thomas held several key roles, showcasing his leadership and commitment to reform. He served as prior of his local monastery, Visitor General, and Prior Provincial for Andalusia and Castile. In these roles, he promoted stricter adherence to Augustinian principles, encouraging a life of prayer, study, and service. In 1533, he sent the first Augustinian missionaries to Mexico, expanding the order’s reach to the New World and contributing to the evangelization of the Americas.

Despite his administrative duties, Thomas remained a simple friar at heart, living ascetically and giving away personal possessions. When offered the position of Archbishop of Granada by Emperor Charles V, he refused, citing his desire to remain a humble religious. His reputation as a reformer and preacher, however, made him a trusted advisor to the emperor, who appointed him as a court preacher and councilor of state in Valladolid.

Archbishop of Valencia: A Ministry of Charity

In 1544, Thomas was nominated as Archbishop of Valencia, a position he accepted only under obedience to his Augustinian superiors, as he had previously declined the see of Granada. The Archdiocese of Valencia was in spiritual disarray, having lacked a resident bishop for over a century. Thomas arrived in 1545, wearing the same worn Augustinian habit he had received as a novice, which he mended himself despite the disapproval of his canons and domestics.

Upon taking office, Thomas visited every parish in the archdiocese to assess the needs of his flock. He found widespread poverty, lax clergy, and a significant Moorish population with irregular Christian conversions. His response was transformative: he established hospitals, orphanages, and schools, redirecting funds intended for his residence to these charitable works. He famously said, β€œOur Lord will be better served by your money being spent on the poor in the hospital. What does a poor friar like myself want with furniture?” His home became a refuge for the poor, with hundreds arriving daily to receive meals, wine, and alms.

Thomas’s approach to sinners was gentle yet firm, inspired by Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom. When criticized for not using harsh measures like excommunication, he replied, β€œLet them inquire whether Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom used anathemas to stop drunkenness and blasphemy.” He paid his servants to bring abandoned children to him, ensuring their care, and encouraged the wealthy to emulate his generosity. His reforms included founding the Presentation Seminary in 1550 to train a well-formed clergy, improving the spiritual and moral life of the archdiocese.

Death and Legacy

Thomas’s health began to decline in 1551, likely due to a heart condition. As he lay dying in Valencia on September 8, 1555, he ordered all his remaining money and possessions distributed to the poor. During his final moments, Mass was celebrated in his presence, and after receiving Communion, he breathed his last, reciting, β€œInto your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” He died on the floor, having given his bed to a poor man. His remains are preserved in the Cathedral of Valencia, where he is venerated as a local patron.

Thomas was beatified by Pope Paul V on October 7, 1618, and canonized by Pope Alexander VII on November 1, 1658. His feast day is celebrated on September 22 in the Catholic Church, though some Augustinian communities honor him on October 10. He is the patron saint of Villanova University, Danao, Cebu, Santolan, Pasig, Alimodian and Miag-ao in Iloilo, Dao, Capiz, and almsgiving, reflecting his legacy of charity.

Veneration and Iconography

Thomas’s cult grew rapidly after his death, particularly in Spain and the Americas. He is depicted in art as a bishop distributing alms, often with a bag of money or bread, symbolizing his care for the poor. His Augustinian habit, worn and patched, is a common motif, emphasizing his humility. His devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom he compared to the burning bush of Moses, is reflected in his sermons and iconography.

The Collegiate Church of San Isidro in Madrid and various churches in the Philippines honor him with statues and altars. His writings, including sermons and theological treatises, remain influential, particularly his reflections on the love of God and neighbor. Villanova University, founded by Augustinians in Pennsylvania, bears his name, perpetuating his legacy of education and charity.

Prayer to Saint Thomas of Villanova

O God, who adorned Saint Thomas of Villanova with the gifts of eloquence and charity, grant us, through his intercession, the grace to serve the poor with generous hearts and to proclaim Your love with fervent zeal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

.

Prayer of St. Thomas of Villanova

I will love you, Lord, in every way and without setting limits to my love. You set no limits to what you have done for me; you have not measured out your gifts. I will not measure out my love. I will love you, Lord, with all my strength, with all my powers, as much as I am able.

 Prayer to Saint Thomas of Villanova

God our Father we praise and thank you for giving us your faithful servant Saint Thomas of Villanova to be our model in humility, simplicity and charity. Through his intercession, look kindly upon us your children, bless us and keep us from all harm, deliver us from all evil and guide us to the path that leads to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Related Post

SAINT OF THE DAY
Saints in September
Labels: ,

Popular Posts