May 10: Saint John of Ávila, Doctor of the Church
Master of Saints
He was called the Apostle of Andalusia, a great preacher, a spiritual Master who guided many people to holiness and who was able to inspire conversions among those who listened to him.
His name was John of Ávila. He was born in Almodóvar del Campo (Ciudad Real), Spain around 1499 or 1500 into a very religious and wealthy family who owned a silver mine.
At the age of fourteen, he began to study law at the University of Salamanca, but realized that he was not suited to that line of study. He returned to his family and for a few years devoted himself to asceticism and prayer. He studied arts and theology in Alcalá de Henares with the goal of becoming a priest.
When his parents died, he sold his inheritance and donated the proceeds to the poor and needy. After receiving priestly ordination in 1526, he moved to Seville because he wanted to go as a missionary to America, the New World. The Archbishop of Seville, Don Alonso Manrique, had a different opinion and explained to him that he had to stay to evangelize Andalusia. His first assignment was in Écija, where he began to preach, giving importance to prayer and especially to the interior life. His unique style aroused the suspicion of the Inquisition which put him on trial in 1531. He remained imprisoned for two years before being acquitted of any charges. During his detention, he studied the mystery of the Passion and death of Christ, which led him to find in the Cross and the Eucharist, the spiritual charisma that characterized him.
In prison, he began to write his best-known work, which he continued to write until the end of his life: Audi, filia, taken from Psalm 44.
He then moved to Cordova and often visited Granada. During his sermon on the feast of the patron saint of merchants, Saint Sebastian, on January 20, 1537, near the Alhambra in Granada, the Portuguese João Cidade Duarte converted and became the famous Saint John of God. In May 1539, a sermon by John of Avila brought about the conversion of another saint. The Duke of Gandía arrived in Granada to transfer the mortal remains of the Empress Isabella of Portugal, wife of Charles V. Listening to John’s words, he too converted and entered the Society of Jesus, of which he became the Superior General: Saint Francis Borgia.
Soon, for his doctrine and life witness he became known Master John of Ávila. Priests began to follow him to spread his missionary action. His most important disciple was Fray Luis de Granada, who quotes him often and extensively. It was he who wrote the first biography of the saint, 19 years after his death: “Vida del Padre Maestro Juan de Ávila” (Madrid 1588).
People sought out John of Avila just to hear him speak. He also promoted the catechesis of children and young people, favored the opening of schools, took care of the assistance to the poor, the formation of priests and spiritual direction.
After the Council of Trent, he promoted the application of its decrees in the Spanish dioceses. He corresponded actively with spiritual advice to bishops, consecrated persons, priests and lay people. Among them, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint John of Ribera and Saint Teresa of Avila.
In 1554, he retired to Motilla (Cordova), in the home of family friends. He died on May 10, 1569. Benedict XVI, on October 7, 2012, declared him a Doctor of the Church.