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Saint John of Avila

Also known as

Apostle of Andalusia
Juan de Ávila Jijón

10 May

Profile

Born to a wealthy Castilian family with Jewish ancestry. Studied law at the University of Salamanca from age 14, and felt a call to religious life. Studied theology and philosophy at Alcala, Spain at age 17. Lawyer. Following the death of his parents, he liquidated most of his large fortune, and gave it to the poor. Ordained in 1525. He wanted to be a missionary in the West Indies and Mexico, but became a travelling preacher in Andalusia for 40 years, re-evangelizing a region previously ruled by the Moors. He spoke boldly against the sins of the ruling classes, made powerful enemies, and at one point was imprisoned in Seville, Spain by the Inquisition, accused of false teachings; the charges were dismissed, John was released, and his preaching became more popular than ever. Spiritual director of Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Francis Borgia, Saint John of God, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Peter of Alcántara, and Saint Louis of Granada. Writer whose works continue their influence today. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 October 2012.

Born

6 January 1499 at Almodovar del Campo (Ciudad Real), Toledo, New Castile, Spain

Died

10 May 1569 at Montilla, Spain of natural causes
interred in the Jesuit church at Montilla

Venerated

8 February 1759 by Pope Clement XIII (decree of heroic virtues)

Beatified

4 April 1894 by Pope Leo XIII

Canonized

31 May 1970 by Pope Paul VI

Patronage

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Enyclopedia
New Catholic Dictionary
books
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english

Catholic Culture

Meditation: John 6:60-69

Saint Damien de Veuster, Priest

Master, to whom shall we go? (John 6:68)

“I am weak and frail, my dearest Margaret, but I will not distrust God’s goodness. If I become so terrified that I am in danger of defecting, I shall remember Peter beginning to sink because his faith was weak, and I shall cry out to Christ as he did, ‘Lord, save me.’ I hope that he will stretch out his hand and take hold of me and not let me sink.

“But even if he lets me play Peter’s part to the full and reject him, I hope that he will look on me with mercy as he did on Peter and raise me up to profess the truth.

… With great hope and trust then, I shall give myself to God.”

These words come from a letter that St. Thomas More wrote to his daughter as he reflected on his likely execution by order of England’s King Henry VIII. Though More lived centuries after St. Peter, you can see how deeply Peter’s witness impressed him.

Who can blame him? Simon Peter may have been impetuous and cowardly at times, but you can’t deny that he loved Jesus deeply. We get a dramatic illustration of this love in today’s Gospel reading, when he made a bold statement of faith. Many of Jesus’ followers were leaving him because of his teaching on the bread of life, but Peter just couldn’t do it. He was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, and he had no intention of walking away.

In one sense, Peter was being logical: where else could he go? Jesus was the only One whose words moved him, so it made sense to stay with him despite the teachings Peter couldn’t understand.

But in another sense, Peter was speaking from a conviction that went beyond human logic. His eyes had been opened, and his reason was being infused with grace. He could have gone home and resumed his stable life as a fisherman, but he decided instead to take a big risk and throw his lot in with Jesus.

Both Thomas More and Simon Peter risked everything on the Lord. May their examples move us to make a similar calculation!

“Here I am, Lord. Take my life, and mold it into your image. Where else can I go?”

Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116:12-17