FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA – 22 SEPTEMBER

FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA
FEAST DAY – 22 SEPTEMBER

Thomas of Villanova (1488 – September 8, 1555), born Tomás García y Martínez, was a Spanish friar of the Order of Saint Augustine who was a noted preacher, ascetic and religious writer of his day. He became an archbishop who was famous for the extent of his care for the poor of his see. His father was a miller, who regularly distributed food and provisions to the poor, as did his mother. He grew up and was educated in Villanueva de los Infantes, in the Province of Ciudad Real, Spain, therefore the name Thomas of Villanueva.

Part of the original house still stands, with a coat of arms in the corner, beside a family chapel. In spite of his family’s wealth, as a young boy he often went about naked because he had given his clothing to the poor. At the age of sixteen years, Thomas entered the University of Alcalá de Henares to study Arts and Theology. He became a professor there, teaching arts, logic, and philosophy, despite a continuing absentmindedness and poor memory.

In 1516, he decided to join the Augustinian friars in Salamanca and in 1518 was ordained a priest. He became renowned for his eloquent and effective preaching in the churches of Salamanca. Thomas composed beautiful sermons, among which stands out the Sermon on the Love of God, one of the great examples of sacred oratory of the 16th century. Charles V, upon hearing him preach, exclaimed, “This monsignor can move even the stones!”. Charles named Thomas one of his councilors of state and court preacher in Valladolid, the residence of the Emperor when on his visits.

His scathing attacks on his fellow bishops earned him the title of reformer. Some of his sermons attacked the cruelty of bullfighting. He also had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary, whose heart he compared to the burning bush of Moses that is never consumed. Within the Order, he successively held the positions of prior of his local monastery, Visitor General, and Prior Provincial for Andalusia and Castile. In 1533, Thomas sent out the first Augustinian friars to arrive in Mexico. Charles V offered him the post of Archbishop of Granada but he would not accept it.

In 1544 he was nominated as Archbishop of Valencia and he continued to refuse the position until ordered to accept by his superior. Given a donation to decorate his residence, he sent the money to a hospital in need of repair. He began his episcopacy by visiting every parish in the Archdiocese to discover what the needs of the people were. Aided by his assistant bishop, Juan Segriá, he put in order an archdiocese that for a century had not had direct pastoral government.

He organized a special college for Moorish converts, and in particular an effective plan for social assistance, welfare, and charity. In 1547 he ordained as a priest Luis Beltrán, a noted missionary in South America. Thomas started Presentation Seminary in 1550. He was well known for his great personal austerity (he sold the straw mattress on which he slept in order to give money to the poor) and wore the same habit that he had received in the novitiate, mending it himself. Thomas was known as “father of the poor.”

His continual charitable efforts were untiring, especially towards orphans, poor women without a dowry, and the sick. He possessed, however, an intelligent notion of charity, so that while he was very charitable, he sought to obtain definitive and structural solutions to the problem of poverty; for example, giving work to the poor, thereby making his charity bear fruit. “Charity is not just giving, rather removing the need of those who receive charity and liberating them from it when possible,” he wrote. He established boarding schools and high schools.

Thomas died in Valencia on September 8, 1555 of angina at the age of 67. His remains are preserved at the Cathedral there. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII on November 1, 1658. His feast day is celebrated on September 22. Thomas is the author of various Tracts, among which is included the Soliloquy between God and the soul, on the topic of communion. Francisco de Quevedo wrote his biography. His complete writings were published in six volumes as Opera omnia, in Manila in 1881.

Thomas is the namesake and patron saint of Villanova University, near Philadelphia in the United States, which was founded and is administered by the friars of his Order; Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva in Havana, Cuba; St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; and Villanova College, a Catholic school for boys located in Brisbane, Australia.

In the Philippines, some churches and towns are dedicated in honor of the saint with grand feast or fiesta celebrations with much food on the table for the guests and visitors. He is the patron saint of the towns of Alimodian and Miag-ao, both in Iloilo. He is the patron saint of Barangay Santolan and Sto. Tomas in Pasig. A congregation of sisters is also named after him.

CONTEMPLATING THE LIFE OF SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA – THE ARCHBISHOP WHO GAVE HIS TREASURE TO THE POOR

THE BOY WHO LEARNED TO GIVE

Tomás García y Martínez was born at Fuenllana in Spain in the late fifteenth century into a deeply Christian family. His father, a miller, was known for his generosity towards the poor. Young Thomas learned from his parents that God’s gifts are never meant only for ourselves. The spirit of charity that he witnessed at home would later become the hallmark of his life.

THE BRILLIANT YOUNG MAN

At about sixteen, Thomas went to the University of Alcalá, where he studied philosophy, theology and the liberal arts. He became a teacher and was recognised for his intelligence. Yet he gradually understood that knowledge had a greater purpose: to seek God, discover truth and serve others.

THE PROFESSOR WHO CHOSE GOD

In 1516, Thomas entered the Order of St Augustine, leaving behind the possibility of an impressive academic career. He was ordained a priest in 1518 and devoted his learning to preaching, teaching, hearing confessions and guiding souls. His gifts became instruments of service rather than personal achievement.

THE FRIAR WHO EMBRACED SERVICE

Thomas became a leader within the Augustinian Order and later served as Provincial. Although he was entrusted with important responsibilities, he preferred the simplicity of religious life, prayer and quiet service. He understood the dangers of power and did not seek positions of honour.

THE BISHOP WHO DID NOT SEEK HONOUR

Thomas was proposed first for the Archdiocese of Granada and later for Valencia. He hesitated because he did not desire titles or splendour. Yet, in obedience to his superiors, he accepted the responsibility and became Archbishop of Valencia. Even with this great office, he remained humble, prayerful and committed to the simple life of a friar.

THE ARCHBISHOP WHO SERVED HIS FLOCK

When Thomas arrived in Valencia, he found a Church in need of renewal. He preached, visited the people, encouraged priests, corrected abuses and promoted formation. He founded a seminary and worked tirelessly for the spiritual renewal of the diocese. He understood that a shepherd must know and care for his flock.

THE FATHER OF THE POOR

The poor soon began coming to Thomas for help. He gave food to the hungry, clothing to those in need and assistance to the sick and desperate. His residence became known for generosity, and he became known as the Almsgiver and Father of the Poor. He did not see poverty merely as a problem; he saw Christ in every person who came to him.

THE ARCHBISHOP WHO GAVE AWAY HIS TREASURE

Although he could have lived in comfort, Thomas maintained the simplicity of his Augustinian vocation. He gave generously from the resources entrusted to him and kept little for himself. The greater his office became, the simpler his personal life remained. The more authority he received, the more he served.

THE POOR WHO TAUGHT HIM

Thomas understood that the poor were not only recipients of his generosity but also his teachers. They taught him dependence, gratitude, trust and simplicity. Their needs reminded him that everything he possessed was ultimately a gift from God.

THE PREACHER WHO AWAKENED HEARTS

Thomas was a powerful preacher who sought not admiration but conversion. He challenged spiritual complacency, spoke of God’s mercy and called people to repentance. His desire was not simply to impress his listeners but to lead them towards an encounter with Christ.

THE REFORMER WHO BEGAN WITH HIMSELF

Living during a time of great need for Church renewal, Thomas understood that reform must begin within the heart. Through prayer, fasting, discipline, preaching and service, he tried to live the Gospel before asking others to do so. His life showed that genuine renewal begins when we allow Christ to transform us.

THE ARCHBISHOP WHO REMAINED A FRIAR

Though he had become a great Church leader, Thomas never allowed his office to make him proud. He continued to pray simply, live humbly and care deeply for the poor. Beneath his episcopal vestments, he remained a man conscious of his need for God’s mercy and grace.

THE FINAL GIFT

After about eleven years as Archbishop of Valencia, Thomas became seriously ill. His physical strength declined, but he continued to offer himself to God. On 8 September 1555, he died in Valencia at about sixty seven years of age. He had spent his life emptying his hands in generosity and was now ready to place his entire life into God’s hands.

THE BISHOP WHO BECAME POOR TO ENRICH OTHERS

Thomas was beatified in 1618 by Pope Paul V and canonized in 1658 by Pope Alexander VII. His most beautiful title was not Archbishop but Father of the Poor. His life teaches us that Christian leadership is not about possessing more, but about giving more; not about being served, but about serving. Everything becomes a treasure when it is given away in love. Thomas of Villanova discovered that the greatest wealth is found in loving God and generously blessing others.

PRAYER

God our Father, with grateful hearts we offer you praise and thanks, for giving us Saint Thomas of Villanova, who was a great example of faithfulness to you, and a model in humility, simplicity and charity.

Through his intercession, look upon us all with love and mercy, with kindness and compassion and bless us, whom you have taken unto yourself in adoption.

Keep us from all evil and harm, deliver us and guide us to the path that leads to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Saint Thomas of Villanova, pray for us.

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