Juan de Ávila

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Juan de Ávila

Juan de Ávila , (German: John of Avila ) (born January 6, 1499 or 1500 in Almodóvar del Campo (central Spain); † May 10, 1569 in Montilla ) was a preacher and author of several writings in which he deals with the Adoration of the altar sacrament, questions of education and celibacy . He was beatified in 1894 and canonized on May 31, 1970, and on October 7, 2012, he was promoted to Doctor of the Church . He is nicknamed the Apostle of Andalusia .

Life path

John of Avila was born the son of the wealthy Jewish convert Alonso de Ávila and Catalina Xixón in 1499 or 1500. He first studied law; Because of his half-Jewish descent, he was unable to complete this course and he was also not allowed to join the Jesuit order. He then studied philosophy at the University of Alcalá . He earned his bachelor's degree and studied theology until 1526 or 1527. He distributed his inheritance to the poor when his parents died. This probably happened before 1527.

For some time he taught as a professor at the university. As a missionary he wanted to go to the New World , but was refused because of his father's Jewish origins. Alonso Manrique, Inquisitor General and Archbishop of Seville, noticed him and made him a preacher and people's missionary in Andalusia .

In his sermons he also addressed grievances in the church, which brought him an indictment by the Inquisition in 1531 . In 1533 he was acquitted. His pamphlet Audi, Filia (Hear, Daughter), written during his imprisonment, changed in 1556 and published without his consent, brought him new trouble. The font, which is now considered his main work, was on the index of forbidden books until 1574. In this book he dealt with questions of Christian perfection.

After 1533 he continued his work in Andalusia. He founded 15 colleges. Of these, eleven achieved the rank of grammar school and at least three of them developed into universities. The University of Baeza is considered the most important foundation of John of Avila . His work in Andalusia earned him the nickname Apostle of Andalusia .

Together with Archbishop Gasparo Avalos, he was involved in the organization of the University of Granada , which had been founded a few years earlier, from 1537 . This activity earned him the title of Maestro and from then on he was allowed to call himself Maestro Avila . His poor health prevented participation in the Council of Trent in 1551 . He wrote the memoriales al concilio de Trento for the council and played a key role in the implementation of the Trent resolutions in Spain. John also tried to influence the course of the Toled Synod in 1565 through the work Advertencias para el sinodo de Toledo . Here, too, he was unable to participate due to illness.

John of Avila was in lively correspondence with important personalities of his time. He used to exchange letters with Teresa of Ávila , Johannes von Gott , Francisco de Borja or with Ignatius von Loyola , whom he had known since 1554. A good 250 letters have survived from his correspondence.

His feast day is May 10th.

Beatification and Canonization

John of Avila was born in 1894 by Pope Leo XIII. beatified . He was canonized on May 31, 1970. His feast is on May 10. On July 2, 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him . to the "Patron of the secular clergy of Spain". On Sunday, October 7th, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI. elevated St. John of Avila to Doctor of the Church .

literature

Web links

Commons : Juan de Ávila  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Apostolic Exhortation, Pope Benedict XVI., St. John of Ávila, diocesan priest, is appointed Doctor of the Church, October 7, 2012 [1]
personal data
SURNAME Juan de Ávila
ALTERNATIVE NAMES John of Avila
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Preacher and saint
DATE OF BIRTH January 6, 1499 or 1500
PLACE OF BIRTH Almodovar del Campo
DATE OF DEATH May 10, 1569
Place of death Montilla