Saint Thomas de Villeneuve
Moine de Saint-Augustin, évêque (+ 1555)
Originaire de la Castille, il entra à l'université
d'Alcala à l'âge de douze ans où il parcourut toutes ses classes d'humanités,
de rhétorique et de philosophie. Il fut ensuite professeur à l'Université
d'Alcala puis de Salamanque, entrant dans l'Ordre de Saint Augustin à cette
époque. Provincial de son Ordre, il sut se faire aimer et respecter par sa
douceur et sa fermeté, attentif à ce que les religieux donnent priorité à la
méditation et aux offices divins. Si grande fut sa réputation que Charles-Quint
le nomma archevêque de Grenade. Il resta pauvre dans son palais épiscopal. Trop
âgé pour se rendre au concile de Trente, il fut écouté des évêques espagnols
qui s'y rendaient.
La Congrégation des Sœurs Hospitalières de Saint
Thomas de Villeneuve fut fondée à Lamballe, en Bretagne, en 1661, par le Père
Ange Le Proust... en 1658, le Pape Alexandre VII canonise l’Évêque espagnol
Thomas de Villeneuve. Pour le Père Ange qui l’admire et le prie depuis son
noviciat, c’est le modèle qu’il faut donner à la petite famille religieuse
qu’il veut fonder. (Histoire de la Congrégation
des sœurs hospitalières de Saint Thomas de Villeneuve qui ont fêté
leur 350e
anniversaire en 2011)
Un internaute nous écrit à son sujet: "Saint
Thomas de Villeneuve n'a pas enseigné à l'université de Salamanque; il a pu
refuser le siège de Grenade mais pas celui de Valence (sa dépouille mortelle se
trouve à la cathédrale). Ce n'est pas la vieillesse qui l'empêcha d'aller
au concile de Trente; la misère spirituelle dans laquelle il trouva son diocèse
exigeait de lui qu'il appliquât sans attendre des décisions que prendrait par
la suite le concile pour toute l'Église! Cf.Thomas de Villeneuve /
Argiiro TURRADO. – in : Dictionnaire de spiritualité, Paris, 15, 1991, col.
874-890."
Fils d'un meunier, il entra chez les Ermites de
Saint-Augustin à Salamanque. Il enseigna la théologie à l'Université, puis à
Burgos et enfin à Valladolid. Provincial de son Ordre, puis chapelain royal, il
reçut par obéissance la charge épiscopale et, entre autres vertus pastorales,
il excella tellement dans un ardent amour des pauvres qu’il dépensait tout pour
les indigents, au point de ne pas même garder un lit pour lui. Ce qui lui valut
d'être surnommé "l’aumônier" à cause de son amour pour les pauvres.
Par ses écrits ascétiques et mystiques, il apparaît comme l’un des plus grands
représentants de l’Ecole spirituelle espagnole du 16ème siècle. Il a été
canonisé en 1658.
À Valence en Espagne, l’an 1555, saint Thomas de
Villeneuve, évêque. Entré chez les Ermites de Saint-Augustin, il reçut par
obéissance la charge épiscopale et, entre autres vertus pastorales, il excella
tellement dans un ardent amour des pauvres qu’il dépensait tout pour les
indigents, au point de ne pas même garder un lit pour lui.
Martyrologe romain
Biagio
Pupini (–1575). L'elemosina di San Tommaso di Villanova, 1550,
200 x 140, Archdiocese of Bologna. Biagio
Pupini, L'elemosina di San Tommaso di Villanova, 1560. Il Santo,
con piviale, mitria e pastorale, soccorre i poveri, tra i quali sono
due uomini, una donna e due bambini.
Saint Thomas de Villeneuve
Archevêque de Valence, en Espagne
(1488-1555)
Issu d'une pieuse famille de la bourgeoisie, Thomas fut élevé à Villanueva, Espagne, d'où lui vient son nom de Villeneuve. Ses parents fort vertueux et charitables le formèrent très tôt à la piété et à la générosité envers les pauvres, les malades et tous les malheureux.
A l'école, Thomas offrait son déjeuner aux enfants pauvres, et parfois il leur donnait ses propres vêtements pour les garantir du froid. On le vit revenir plus d'une fois à la maison sans gilet, sans chapeau et sans souliers. Ayant reçu un habit neuf à l'âge de sept ans, il le donna à un enfant à demi-nu. Il demandait souvent à sa mère la permission de ne pas dîner pour que sa part servit à un malheureux. Il employait l'argent qu'il recevait de ses parents à acheter des oeufs qu'il portait aux malades hospitalisés.
Après de brillantes études à l'université d'Alcala, il fut nommé professeur de philosophie morale au collège de St-Ildefonse, puis professeur de théologie à l'université de Salamanque. Son père étant mort peu de temps après, Thomas consacra toute sa fortune au soin des pauvres, transforma sa maison en hôpital, ne réservant que le nécessaire à l'entretien de sa mère. A trente ans, le jour de la Présentation de Notre-Dame, il entra chez les Ermites de St-Augustin de Salamanque. A peu près dans le même temps de son admission dans cet Ordre, Luther le quittait et consommait son apostasie.
Prédicateur ardent, le zèle de Thomas remua de fond en comble la ville de Salamanque. Le Saint puisait son éloquence au pied de la croix: «Dans l'oraison, disait-il, se forment les flèches dont les coeurs des auditeurs doivent être percés.» Les plus grandes villes d'Espagne se disputèrent pour l'entendre. La cour de Charles-Quint l'écouta avec admiration et le roi le nomma son prédicateur ordinaire et son conseiller. Il avait une si grande estime pour ce religieux qu'il ne savait rien lui refuser. Plusieurs seigneurs de la cour avaient été condamnés à mort pour crime de haute trahison. L'empereur avait refusé leur grâce à l'archevêque de Tolède ainsi qu'à d'autres éminents personnages, même à son propre fils, mais il accorda cette faveur à la demande de saint Thomas de Villeneuve.
Le saint religieux devint successivement prieur des maisons de Salamanque, de Burgos, de Valladolid, provincial d'Andalousie et de Castille. C'est lui qui envoya les premiers Augustins vers le Mexique. Il recommandait surtout quatre choses à ses religieux, 1ère: la célébration dévote et attentive des divins offices; 2e: la méditation et la lecture spirituelle faite avec assiduité; 3e: l'union de la charité fraternelle, et enfin la fuite de la paresse qui est un grand obstacle à la vertu. Nommé archevêque de Grenade, il refusa catégoriquement cette dignité.
Dix ans plus tard, en 1544, Charles-Quint le désigna pour l'évêché de Valence qu'il fut obligé d'accepter au nom de l'obéissance et sous peine d'excommunication. Saint Thomas quitta sa cellule en pleurant, se mit en route à pied, revêtu d'un habit monastique fort usé et entra ainsi dans sa ville épiscopale. Au moment de son arrivée, la pluie tomba en abondance après une longue période de sécheresse, bienfaisante ondée qui était comme le présage des grâces qu'il apportait à ses ouailles.
Le voyant si pauvre, ses chanoines lui firent présent de quatre mille ducats pour son ameublement. Saint Thomas de Villeneuve les fit distribuer en aumônes. Il entreprit la réforme de son diocèse par l'exemple de sa vie toute de pénitence et de prière. Pendant toute son existence, il observa les jeûnes de son Ordre et ceux de l'Église, au pain et à l'eau. Il couchait sur des sarments dissimulés sous une couverture de laine. La plus grande partie de ses revenus passait en bonnes oeuvres. On l'a surnommé: l'Aumônier, à cause des charités incalculables qu'il ne cessait de prodiguer.
Trois jours avant sa mort, ce saint pasteur fit distribuer aux pauvres tout ce qui lui restait d'argent et fit don de ses meubles au collège de Valence. Comme il était encore propriétaire de son lit de malade, il le donna au geôlier de ses prisons, le priant de bien vouloir le lui prêter jusqu'à sa mort.
Saint Thomas de Villeneuve commença la récitation du psaume: In Te, Domine, spéravi. Rendu au verset: In manus Tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum, le saint pontife expira doucement. Il rendit son âme à Dieu dans la onzième année de son épiscopat, à l'âge de soixante-sept ans. Ses reliques sont conservées à Valence.
Résumé O.D.M.
Thomas de Villeneuve
Fête 25 novembre
Thomas naquit en 1486 à Fuenllana en Castille
(Espagne). Il garda ‘Villanueva de Los Infantes’, le nom de l’endroit où il
grandit, comme deuxième nom. Bien qu’ils ne soient pas tellement aisés, ses
parents purent le laisser étudier à la célèbre université d’Alcalá de Henares.
Thomas, âgé de seize ans, était un élève tellement doué qu’après avoir obtenu
le grade universitaire de magister artium, on lui offrit immédiatement une
chaire. Il fut professeur à l’université d’Alcalá de 1513 à 1516. Il entra dans
l’Ordre des Augustins en 1516 et fut ordonné prêtre en 1518. Il fut prieur dans
les couvents de Salamanque, de Burgos et de Valladolid. Ensuite, il devint
provincial de l’Andalousie (1527-1530) et de la Castille (1534-1537). A cette
époque, il envoya des confrères au Nouveau Monde qui fondèrent l’Ordre au
Mexique. Charles V aimait écouter ses sermons et lui demandait souvent conseil.
Il nomma Thomas archevêque de Grenade, mais celui-ci renonça à cette fonction.
En 1544, il fut obligé d’assurer la charge de le diocèse de Valencia. Il
s’agissait d’un diocèse riche, mais négligé ; il n’avait pas connu
d’évêque résidentiel pendant plus de 100 ans. C’est sans doute cet état
lamentable du diocèse qui était à l’origine de l’absence de Thomas au concile
de Trente. La plupart des évêques vinrent toutefois lui demander conseil avant
de partir pour le concile.
Thomas s’engagea de toutes ses forces pour le bien-être matériel et spirituel
de son peuple. Il prêcha, enseigna, étudia et réprimanda en privé et en public
si ceci était nécessaire. Son enseignement et sa prédication accélérèrent
fortement le développement des études et de la spiritualité de l’Ordre en
général. Il était aussi le promoteur de la Dévotion moderne en Espagne.
Contemporain de Luther, il accusait vertement, dans ses sermons, le clergé et
les moines de dépravation et d’infidélité à l’Évangile.
Il dépensa une grande partie des riches
ressources du diocèse pour les pauvres. Son souci des petits, des malades, des
jeunes et des pauvres en danger caractérisait son apostolat, de sorte qu’on
l’appela ‘le père des pauvres’. Dans ce contexte, il répétait les mots
d’Augustin : « Tout autre bien qui reste superflu appartient aux
autres comme un bien nécessaire. Le superflu des riches, c’est le nécessaire
des pauvres. Ce sont les biens d’autrui que l’on possède, quand on possède du
superflu » (Enarr. in. psalm. 147, 12). Beaucoup de ses sermons et de ses
écrits contribuèrent à la littérature spirituelle de l’Espagne. Il mourut le 8
septembre 1555. Son corps fut inhumé dans la cathédrale de Valencia. Il fut
canonisé en 1658.
Luca Giordano . Saint Thomas de Villeneuve. Naples, Galleria Napoletana
(Museo di Capodimonte)
|
Saint Thomas
de Villeneuve
Archevêque de Valence, en Espagne
(1488-1555)
Tomás
de Villanueva, né Tomás García Martínez, issu d'une pieuse famille de la
bourgeoisie, fut élevé à Villanueva, Espagne, d'où lui vient son nom de
Villeneuve. Ses parents fort vertueux et charitables le formèrent très tôt à
la piété et à la générosité envers les pauvres, les malades et tous les
malheureux.
|
À l'école, Thomas offrait son déjeuner aux enfants
pauvres, et parfois il leur donnait ses propres vêtements pour les garantir du
froid. On le vit revenir plus d'une fois à la maison sans gilet, sans chapeau
et sans souliers. Ayant reçu un habit neuf à l'âge de sept ans, il le donna à
un enfant à demi-nu. Il demandait souvent à sa mère la permission de ne pas
dîner pour que sa part servît à un malheureux. Il employait l'argent qu'il
recevait de ses parents à acheter des œufs qu'il portait aux malades
hospitalisés.
Après de brillantes études à l'université d'Alcala,
il fut nommé professeur de philosophie morale au collège de Saint-Ildefonse,
puis professeur de théologie à l'université de Salamanque. Son père mourut peu
de temps après et Thomas consacra toute sa fortune au soin des pauvres. Il
transforma sa maison en hôpital, ne réservant que le nécessaire à l'entretien
de sa mère. À trente ans, le jour de la Présentation de Notre-Dame, il entra
chez les Ermites de St-Augustin de Salamanque. À peu près dans le même temps de
son admission dans cet Ordre, Luther le quittait.
Prédicateur ardent, le zèle de Thomas remua de fond
en comble la ville de Salamanque. Il puisait son éloquence au pied de la
croix : « Dans l'oraison,
disait-il, se forment les flèches dont
les cœurs des auditeurs doivent être percés. » Les plus grandes villes
d'Espagne se disputèrent pour l'entendre. La cour de Charles-Quint l'écouta
avec admiration et le roi le nomma son prédicateur ordinaire et son conseiller.
Il avait une si grande estime pour ce religieux qu'il ne savait rien lui
refuser. Plusieurs seigneurs de la cour avaient été condamnés à mort pour crime
de haute trahison. L'empereur avait refusé leur grâce à l'archevêque de Tolède
ainsi qu'à d'autres éminents personnages, même à son propre fils, mais il
accorda cette faveur à la demande de Thomas.
Le saint religieux devint successivement prieur des
maisons de Salamanque, de Burgos, de Valladolid, provincial d'Andalousie et de
Castille. C'est lui qui envoya les premiers Augustins vers le Mexique. Il
recommandait surtout quatre choses à ses religieux : la célébration dévote
et attentive des divins offices ; la méditation et la lecture spirituelle
faite avec assiduité ; l'union de la charité fraternelle, et enfin la
fuite de la paresse qui est un grand obstacle à la vertu.
Nommé archevêque de Grenade, il refusa
catégoriquement cette dignité.
Dix ans plus tard, en 1544, Charles-Quint le
désigna pour l'évêché de Valence qu'il fut obligé d'accepter au nom de
l'obéissance et sous peine d'excommunication. Thomas quitta sa cellule en
pleurant, se mit en route à pied, revêtu d'un habit monastique fort usé et
entra ainsi dans sa ville épiscopale. Au moment de son arrivée, la pluie tomba
en abondance après une longue période de sécheresse, bienfaisante ondée qui
était comme le présage des grâces qu'il apportait à ses ouailles.
Le voyant si pauvre, ses chanoines lui firent
présent de quatre mille ducats pour son ameublement mais Thomas de Villeneuve
les fit distribuer en aumônes. Il entreprit la réforme de son diocèse par
l'exemple de sa vie toute de pénitence et de prière. Pendant toute son
existence, il observa les jeûnes de son Ordre et ceux de l'Église, au pain et à
l'eau. Il couchait sur des sarments dissimulés sous une couverture de laine. La
plus grande partie de ses revenus passait en bonnes œuvres. On l'a
surnommé : l'Aumônier, à cause des charités incalculables qu'il ne cessait
de prodiguer.
Trois jours avant sa mort, ce saint pasteur fit
distribuer aux pauvres tout ce qui lui restait d'argent et fit don de ses
meubles au collège de Valence. Comme il était encore propriétaire de son lit de
malade, il le donna au geôlier de ses prisons, le priant de bien vouloir le lui
prêter jusqu'à sa mort.
Thomas de Villeneuve commença la récitation du psaume : In Te, Domine, speravi. Rendu au
verset : In manus Tuas, Domine,
commendo spiritum meum, le saint pontife expira doucement. Il rendit son
âme à Dieu dans la onzième année de son épiscopat, à l'âge de soixante-sept ans.
Ses reliques sont conservées à Valence.
©Evangelizo.org 2001-2015
Créature bien-aimée
Si nous voulons nous dépouiller du vieil homme, pour
devenir une nouvelle créature, demandons instamment cet Esprit du Seigneur. Lui
seul, en effet, change les âmes et les crée de nouveau ; sans lui, tous
nos soins et tous nos travaux seraient inutiles. Vous auriez beau, pour arriver
à la perfection, déployer nuit et jour tous vos efforts et toute votre
sollicitude, sans l’Esprit Saint vous ne réussirez jamais, sans son appui,
l’âme s’épuise dans le vide. L’expérience m’a appris que l’homme ne peut rendre
blanc ou noir un seul cheveu de sa tête ; ainsi plus je m’efforce de
m’avancer dans la spiritualité plus je me vois m’enfonçant dans la chair. J’ai
donc désespéré de moi-même, voyant que je n’avançais en rien, et qu’il ne me
restait qu’une seule ressource, celle de lever les yeux vers les montagnes
d’où me viendra le secours ; mon secours vient du Seigneur qui a fait le
ciel et la terre (Ps 120, 1-2). Quel est mon cri, quelle est ma demande de
chaque jour ? Je n’en ai qu’une seule : Envoie ton Esprit,
Seigneur, et renouvelle la face de la terre (Ps 103, 30). Donne-moi,
Seigneur mon Dieu, un cœur nouveau et un esprit nouveau, pour que je devienne
sous tes yeux une nouvelle créature.
St Thomas de Villeneuve
Saint Thomas de Villeneuve († 1555) fut évêque de Valence
jusqu’à sa mort. Par ses écrits ascétiques et mystiques, il apparaît comme l’un
des plus grands représentants de l’école spirituelle espagnole du XVIe siècle.
Il a été canonisé en 1658. / « Sermon pour le jour de la pentecôte », dans
Jaime Garcia, L’amitié de Dieu. St Thomas de Villeneuve, maître de spiritualité
augustinienne, Paris, Cerf, 2009, p. 83.
SOURCE : https://fr.aleteia.org/daily-prayer/samedi-19-juin/meditation-de-ce-jour-1/
Capella de Sant Tomàs de Villanueva, reliquiari
(catedral de València).
Saint Thomas of Villanova
Also known as
Thomas of Villanueva
Father of the Poor
Model of Bishops
Thomas the Almsgiver
Tomas of Villanova
Memorial
8
September
10
October (Augustinians)
Profile
Son of Aloazo Tomas Garcia, a miller,
and Lucia Martinez. He grew up in Villanova, Spain,
and was educated at
the University of Alcala. Professor of arts,
logic and philosophy at
the university from 1514.
Joined the Augustinian friars at Salamanca, Spain in 1516. Ordained in 1518,
celebrating his first Mass on Christmas
Day that year. Suffered from absentmindedness and poor memory. Preacher. Prior.
Provincial of the friars.
Sent the first Augustinians to
the New
World. Nominated by the emperor to the archbishopric of Granada, Spain;
he refused the first time, but agreed the second time it was offered, after
being ordered to do so by the Pope;
he took over on 1
January 1545.
His cathedral gave
Thomas money to furnish his house; he donated it to a hospital,
saying, “What does a poor friar like
myself want with furniture?” Every day he wore the same habit he
had received as a novitiate,
mending it himself. The canons and domestics were
ashamed of him, but could not change him. Several hundred poor came
to Thomas’ door each morning, and were given meals, wine and money. Criticized
for being exploited, he replied, “If there are people who refuse to work, that
is for the authorities to deal with. My duty is to assist and relieve those who
come to my door.” He took in orphans,
and paid his servants for
every deserted child they
brought to him. He encouraged the wealthy to imitate his example. Criticized
for being gentle with sinners, he said, “Let them ask if Augustine or John
Chrysostom used anathemas and excommunication to
stop drunkenness and blasphemy.”
As he lay dying,
Thomas commanded that all his money be distributed to the poor. Mass was
said in his presence, and after Communion he
breathed his last, reciting: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my
spirit.” Left a number of theological writings.
Born
1488 at
Fuentellana, Castile, Spain
Died
8
September 1555 at Valencia, Spain of angina
pectoris
Beatified
7
October 1618 by Pope Paul V
Canonized
1
November 1658 by Pope Alexander
VII
Patronage
Genzano
di Roma, Italy
Representation
bishop giving alms to
the poor
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MLA Citation
“Saint Thomas of Villanova“. CatholicSaints.Info.
19 April 2021. Web. 19 June 2021.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-of-villanova/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-of-villanova/
Cathedral Iquitos stained glass window
Iquitos/Maynas/Loreto, Peru.
Weninger’s Lives of the Saints –
Saint Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop
Article
Among the many Saints, celebrated on account of their
virtues and miracles, who adorned the Catholic Church at a period when a great
number of heretics revolted against her, one of the most famous was Saint
Thomas of Villanova. He was born 1488, in Castile, and received his surname
from the city where he was educated. His parents were very pious, and besides
possessing other virtues, they distinguished themselves by their liberality to
the poor. Thomas followed closely in their footsteps, and even in his childhood
gave all he could to the poor. The bread given him for his breakfast he laid by
and gave it to the needy. More than once he took off his own coat and gave it
to some poor man whom he met, and when reproved for it he said: “He to whom I
gave it, needed it more than I.” The same he did with his shoes and other
garments. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin was so great and so constant, that
he was called the child of Mary. But notwithstanding his piety and devotion he
applied himself so earnestly to his studies at Alcala, that he had hardly
reached the age of twenty-six years, when he was appointed to teach philosophy
and theology. He kept his purity and innocence unspotted in numberless dangers,
making use of the same means that preserved other Saints in similar
circumstances. While he was engaged in his studies, he lost his father, and
inherited from him, among other property, a large house, which he changed into
a hospital. He left the world in 1518, and took the habit of the Order of the
Hermits of Saint Augustine, the same order of which the unhappy Martin Luther
was a member in Germany, when he began to attack the Catholic religion. It
seemed to be the intention of the Almighty to compensate the Order with Saint
Thomas for the infamous apostacy of Luther, which took place about that time.
Having practised fasting, self-abnegation and mortification from his tenth
year, Thomas found no difficulty in fulfilling all the duties of his novitiate.
Already at that period he was looked upon as a perfect example of all virtues.
Soon after he had made his vows, he was raised to the highest functions of his
order, as he possessed unusual wisdom and knowledge, and he administered them
to the greatest benefit and satisfaction of all the members. He was gifted with
an especial talent for preaching, and did indescribable good by his sermons.
The Emperor Charles V. delighted in listening to him as often as he had the
opportunity, and appointed him his spiritual counselor and preacher at the
court. The King of Portugal called him to his court, and with all his nobles
paid him the greatest attention. One day, when he was asked where he obtained
such deep thoughts, such wonderful perception, and how he had learned such
penetrating eloquence, he replied: “The crucifix is the best instructor for
preachers; and prayer is the best lesson they can learn.” After the Saint had,
for many years, discharged the functions of an apostolic preacher, to the
salvation of thousands of souls, the emperor appointed him Archbishop of
Grenada; but the humble servant of God had so much to object, that the emperor
was obliged to relinquish the idea. When, however, the see of Valencia became
vacant, the holy man could not again refuse obedience to his superiors; and the
wish of the emperor, with the unanimous desire of the clergy and the people,
forced him to accept it. The space allowed to us is too limited to relate, even
partially, the labors performed by Saint Thomas as Archbishop for the honor of
the Church and the welfare of his flock. He united all the virtues which became
his high dignity. He began by visiting his whole diocese, and afterwards
charged men gifted with virtue and wisdom to do the same. He endeavored, by
preaching and admonition, to uproot vice, to implant virtue, and to abolish
abuses. His blameless and holy life gave to his words the greatest force; hence
it was that so many conversions of the most hardened sinners, and a general
reformation of morals crowned the endeavors of this apostolic shepherd.
He fared no better than the simplest brother of his
Order, nor did he wear other garments; for he was wont to say: “Virtues and
good works must distinguish a bishop from his flock, but not his house,
garments, domestics, or costly table.” No other than earthenware dishes were
used at his table, and he not only observed all the fasts ordained by the
Church, but also those of his Order. His bed was a straw mattress, or some vine
branches covered with a woolen blanket. He allowed himself no recreation, but
constantly endeavored to mortify his body. But severe as he was to himself, he
was charitable and liberal to others, especially the poor. He declared
frequently, that he rejoiced to be bishop, only because it gave him more
opportunities to work for the salvation of souls, and to do good to the poor,
than he had in the cloister. When he entered upon his episcopal functions, the
canons perceived his poverty, and presented him with four thousand ducats. The
Saint received them gratefully, but directly sent the whole sum to the
hospitals and poor-houses, saying: “As the poverty which I vowed to maintain
accords well with the dignity of Archbishop, I intend to live in accordance
with my vow.” This holy resolution he preserved until his death, and also continued
his charity to the poor. Seldom a day passed on which he did not provide four
or five hundred poor with food and money; besides the charity he bestowed upon
the bashful poor, prisoners, and orphans. He inquired diligently for the really
needy, and sent them, unasked, what he thought they required. The same charity
he bestowed upon the poor artisans, day-laborers, and needy virgins. The latter
he enabled, by the dower he gave them, either to enter a convent or to marry.
Not many are the saints who possessed the virtue of charity in a more eminent
degree than Saint Thomas, and God bountifully rewarded it; for, it is well
known that the grain in the barns, the money in his purse, the flour and other
articles destined for the poor were miraculously multiplied. Notwithstanding
these and many other virtues, constantly practised by the holy bishop, he yet
feared that he was not doing enough, and that he would be unable to justify
himself before his God. Hence, he prayed to the Almighty to take so unworthy a superior
from his Church. God at last heard his prayer, not to deprive His church of an
unworthy superior, but to reward a faithful and unwearied servant. One day,
when Saint Thomas repeated his prayer before a crucifix, his heart filled with
an intense desire to see God, he heard these words proceed from the mouth of
the image: “Be comforted, Thomas; you shalt receive the reward of thy labors on
the day of the Nativity of my beloved Mother.” From that moment the mind of the
Saint was full of holy joy. He evinced more zeal than ever in the functions of
his exalted station, and in the exercise of other good works, especially in
deeds of charity. On the 29th of August, he became sick, and his first care was
to receive the Holy Sacraments. After making a general confession, the Blessed
Eucharist was brought to him in procession, and he received it with such
devotion that the eyes of all who beheld him filled with tears. He then
admonished them to love and fear God and be charitable to the poor. Three days
before his death, he distributed among the poor of the city all that remained
of his revenues. When on the eve of his death he heard that a small sum of
money was still at his disposal, he said to those around him: “I entreat you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, that you give it without delay to the poor: for,
you can do nothing that will give me greater pleasure.” The same was done with
the little furniture his residence contained. When it was announced to him, on
the following day that his order had been executed, he turned towards the
crucifix and said: “I give You thanks, O my Saviour, for the grace You bestow
on me in permitting me to die in poverty. You have given me the administration
of Your property; I have distributed it in accordance with Your holy will.” Soon
after, he recollected that the bed on which he was lying, was his own, and that
he was not yet entirely poor. Immediately calling one of those in the room to
his side, he said to him: “My friend, I give this bed to you; but I beg you,
for God’s sake, to lend it me until I am gone.” Not an eye was dry at this
example of entire renunciation of everything temporal. Saint Thomas alone was
cheerful, and desired that they would slowly read to him the passion of Christ,
during which he kept his eyes fixed on the crucifix, whilst his ardent sighs
showed his longing to be united with the Lord. After this, he requested to have
Mass said in his room, at which he assisted with great devotion. Tears Avere
streaming from the eyes of the holy bishop, when the priest, after the
consecration, raised the sacred Host. At the elevation of the chalice, he began
slowly to repeat the psalm: “In thee, O Lord, have I hoped.” After each verse
he paused; and at the communion of the priest, he said the last words of the
psalm: “In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded.” Then he
closed his eyes, and the soul of this great and holy bishop went to the
Almighty, in the sixty-eighth year of his life, in the year of our Lord, 1555,
on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. Before and after his death,
God honored him with many great miracles which were wrought by his
intercession.
Médaille portant l'effigie de Saint Thomas de
Villeneuve
Revers de la médaille portant l'effigie de Saint
Thomas de Villeneuve : Saint Augustin
Practical Considerations
• The whole life of Saint Thomas was a continued
practice of charity to the poor and sick. For this he consumed almost his
entire revenues. How much do you use, weekly, monthly, or yearly, in deeds of
Christian charity? Do you not use much more in vanity, intemperance in eating
and drinking, maintaining useless animals, or in various forbidden pleasures?
Will this give you consolation in your last hour? Will you, acting thus, be
able to justify yourself before God? “What will you answer to your Judge,” says
Saint Basil, “if you have covered the walls of your house, but have allowed the
poor to go bare and naked? if you have richly decked your horses, but despised
your brother because of his torn garments? if you have allowed the com to rot,
but have not fed the hungry? You have not opened your house to the poor;
therefore will the gates of heaven remain closed against you.” Consider what,
according to your circumstances, you are able to do for the poor. Follow the
admonition Tobias gave to his son: “According to thy ability, be merciful. If
you have much, give abundantly; if you have little, take care even so to bestow
willingly a little.” (Tobit 4)
• Saint Thomas led a holy life, and yet feared he
would not be able to justify himself before God. Faith teaches you that you
will have to render account, to an omniscient, just, and omnipotent Judge, of
all your thoughts, words, actions, and omissions. This account will be much
more difficult for you than for thousands of others, because you have received
more benefits from God than thousands of others. “To whom much is given, of him
much will be required,” is a sentence pronounced by the Almighty. “With the
increase of the gifts or benefits of God, increases also the account we have to
render of them,” says Saint Gregory. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha
have, according to the words of Christ, not to render so heavy an account on
the day of judgment, as those of Corozain and Bethsaida; because the latter
received more graces than the former. (Matthew 11) For this reason the Jews and
heathens have less to account for than the Christians. And, for the same
reason, you have more to account for than thousands of other Christians. Is it
possible then, that you do not fear this responsibility, this account? The Saints
have feared, and yet you do not, although you lead an indifferent, perhaps even
a sinful life! Can this be possible? And whence comes it that you do not fear?
Perhaps because you do not earnestly think of it, or because you imagine that
the time to give an account is still very far off. In the first you are wrong,
because you ought to think frequently of it, as so much depends on the issue.
In the second you err no less; for, you do not know how near or how far your
death may be; and, hence, the account which you have to render. “Behold the
judge standing before the door,” says Saint James. (James 5) Should He,
however, still tarry a long time, you ought nevertheless often to think of it,
and prepare yourself for His coming. You ought to regulate your life in such a
manner, that you can justify yourself to your God. How must you conduct
yourself? Listen to the words of Saint Chrysostom: “Let us keep the judgment of
God continually before our eyes, and we shall surely endeavor to be truly
pious; for, as he who forgets it, falls into vices, so will he who keeps it in
mind, walk continually in the path of virtue.”
MLA Citation
Father Francis Xavier Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saint Thomas
of Villanova, Archbishop”. Lives of the Saints, 1876. CatholicSaints.Info.
6 May 2018. Web. 19 June 2021.
<https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-thomas-of-villanova-archbishop/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-thomas-of-villanova-archbishop/
St. Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valentia,
Confessor
From his life composed by Michael Salon, a native of
Valentia; the same by Jerom Canton, and Nicasius Baxius, two religious men of
his Order; and chiefly from the memoirs furnished for his canonization,
prefixed to his works. Pinius, t. 5, Sept. p. 799.
ST. THOMAS, the glory of
the church of Spain, in these latter ages, was born at Fuenlana in Castile in
1488: but received his surname from Villanova de los Infantes, a town where he
had his education, situate about two miles from the place of his birth. His
parents, Alphonsus Thomas Garcias and Lucy Martinez, were also originally of
Villanova. Their fortune was not affluent; but it contented all their wishes,
and with their prudent frugality enabled them liberally to assist the poor.
Instead of selling that corn which was not necessary for the subsistence of
their family, they made bread of it, which they bestowed on the necessitous,
and they usually observed the same rule with regard to their cattle, and the
rest of the produce of their small estate. This charitable disposition was the
most valuable part of their son’s inheritance, and proved one of the most
distinguished virtues in his character during the whole course of his life.
When but seven years old he studied every day by various little contrivances to
do whatever lay in his power in favour of poor persons, often depriving himself
of part of his meals for this purpose, and gathering together what scraps he
could find at home or whatever else he could presume on his parents’ consent to
give: nor were they backward in approving his conduct on such occasions, or in
giving what he asked them for the indigent. This virtue was accompanied in the
saint with a practice of assiduous mortification, a modesty and sweetness which
charmed every one, perfect love of purity which was never sullied, a
predominant love of truth which abhorred the shadow of a lie, and a regular
piety and devotion, which made him even from his infancy spend hours together
on his knees in the church with extraordinary fervour. The first words which
his parents had taught him to pronounce were the names of Jesus and Mary; and
during his whole life he had the most tender devotion to the mother of God. His
excellent wit began to appear in the school at Villa Nova; and at the age of
fifteen he was sent to the university of Alcala, which had been lately founded
by Cardinal Ximenes, the great patron of learning, and the celebrated prime
minister under Ferdinand and Charles V. Our saint pursued his studies there
with a success that drew all eyes upon him, and the cardinal, out of a regard
to his merit, gave him a place in St. Ildefonso’s college. By the regularity of
his own conduct he engaged many of his fellow-students in the practice of
Christian perfection. He mortified his senses with abstinence and great
severities: and his whole time was divided between prayer, study, and actions
of charity, so that he had none left for pastimes and diversions.
After eleven years spent at
Alcala he commenced master of arts, and was made professor of philosophy in
that city, being then twenty-six years old. His father had built him a house
against his return home from his studies; but this the saint, with the leave of
his mother, converted into an hospital. After he had taught two years at
Alcala, he was invited with the promise of an honourable stipend, to the same
employment at Salamanca, a place famous for its ancient university, which had
been founded there by Alphonsus IX. king of Leon, in 1200, and for the many
great men who flourished in it. The motives which prevailed with the saint to
comply with this invitation were chiefly a desire of shunning the applause
which he received at Alcala, and the hopes of removing certain impediments
which arose from his friends in the former place, and obstructed his fixed
design of quitting the world. He taught moral philosophy two years at
Salamanca: during which time he considered what religious retreat he should
make choice of. After the most mature deliberation, in which he took a review
of the rules of several orders, and considered the spirit of their respective
founders, he determined to enter himself among the Hermits of St. Austin. He
took the habit in a most rigorous and exemplary house of that institute at
Salamanca in 1518, about the time that Luther apostatized from the same order
in Germany.
His behaviour in his
novitiate was such as showed he had been long inured to austerities, to the
renouncing his own will, and the exercises of holy contemplation. The
simplicity of his behaviour in his whole conduct charmed his fellow-religious,
and made them admire how he seemed totally to forget that he had been professor
in a famous university. Soon after the term of his novitiate was expired, he
was promoted to priestly orders in 1520, and employed in preaching the word of
God, and in administering the sacrament of penance. Of these functions he
acquitted himself with such dignity and success that he was surnamed the
apostle of Spain. Neither did he interrupt these employments, or allow himself
any relaxation in his monastic rules or austerities whilst he taught, with
wonderful applause, a course of divinity, in the public school of the
Augustinians, at Salamanca. He was afterwards successively prior at Salamanca,
Burgos, and Valladolid, was twice provincial of Andalusia, and once of Castile;
and behaved himself in all these stations, with a sweetness and zeal which
equally edified and gained the hearts of all his religious brethren, so that he
governed them rather by the example of his most holy life than by the authority
of his charge. His charity made him accessible to all who wanted his
assistance, advice, or comfort, and the prudence, skill, and spiritual light
with which he applied remedies to the various maladies of human souls manifestly
discovered how great a blessing God bestows on a people when he sends them
directors animated with his divine spirit, and enlightened by himself. This
heavenly succour the saint found in the constant close union of his soul with
God. He fell into frequent raptures at his prayers, especially at mass; and
though he endeavoured to hide such graces and favours, he was not able to do
it: his face after the holy sacrifice, shining like that of Moses, sometimes
dazzled the eyes of those who beheld him.
Preaching once in the
cathedral church at Burgos, and reproving with zeal the vices and ingratitude
of sinners, he held in his hand a crucifix, and cried out from the bottom of
his heart with a broken voice: “O Christian, look here, O Christian—” Saying
this he was not able to go on, being ravished in an ecstacy. Preaching also at
Valladolid on Maunday-Thursday before the emperor Charles V. and explaining the
words of St. Peter to our Lord, at the washing of the feet, he repeated: “Lord,
dost thou wash my feet? Thou Lord of all creatures! thou Creator of the angels!
thou God of infinite majesty, washest my feet! The Sovereign Monarch those of a
vile creature! the Master his servant’s! the Innocent, a sinner’s feet!” Here
falling into a rapture, he broke off his sermon, and remained for some time
with his eyes lifted up to heaven, pouring forth abundance of tears. The
emperor chose him for one of his preachers; afterwards made him one of his
counsellors, received his advice as an oracle of heaven, and sometimes wrote to
him when at a distance. For a proof how great the authority of our saint was
with that prince, the authors of his life give the following instance. This
emperor had signed an order for the execution of certain persons of quality
condemned for treason; and neither the archbishop of Toledo, nor his own son
Philip, nor all the nobility of Spain, were able, by the warmest solicitations,
to move him to mercy. At length our saint, at the request of Philip of Spain,
went to him, and by discoursing some time with him, prevailed upon the angry
monarch to grant which he asked. When the princes and nobles expressed their
surprise hereat, the emperor told them, that when the prior of the Austin
Friars of Valladolid desired to obtain any thing of him, he rather commanded
than asked it; so strongly did he incline him to what he pleased, by persuading
him that it was the will of the Almighty. “He is a true servant of God,” said
that prince, and though he abides among mortals, he is worthy the honour due to
those who enjoy the crown of immortality.”
Persons of all qualities
and conditions consulted him. Nor is it to be expressed with what zeal,
prudence, and charity he endeavoured to advance the glory of God among men,
especially among those who were committed to his charge. He was most zealous to
maintain regular discipline in his Order, and a great enemy to discourses of
news among his brethren, or whatever else might dissipate their minds, or
introduce the world into their hermitages. When any of his subjects had
committed any grievous fault, he joined fasting and bloody disciplines with
earnest prayer and tears, that it would please the Lord of mercy to bring back
the strayed sheep, for which he had shed his blood. He bore patiently the
infirmities and imperfections of others, accommodating himself, like St. Paul,
to the humours and weaknesses of every one, where no duty was injured. When he
was provincial, he visited his convents with singular diligence, and was
particularly careful about four things. The first was the worship of God, that
the divine service should be performed with the utmost reverence and attention;
that a moderate pause should be observed in the middle of each verse by those
who sung in choir; and that all things belonging to the altar should be kept
with great neatness and cleanness. The second thing which he recommended, was
assiduous reading of the holy scriptures and pious books, with holy meditation,
without which he said it is impossible for devotion to last long. Thirdly, he
was very solicitous to settle all the religious in every convent in the most
perfect concord and union, exhorting every one to the most sincere and tender
fraternal charity. Fourthly, he procured that every one should be employed
according to his talents, and in those offices for which he was fittest.
Whilst the saint was
performing the visitation of his convents, he was nominated by the emperor
Charles V. to the archbishopric of Granada, and commanded to repair to Toledo.
He obeyed; but undertook the journey with no other view than that of declining
the dignity; in which, by his urgent importunities, he succeeded according to
his wish. George of Austria, uncle to the emperor, resigning some time after
the archbishopric of Valentia, to pass to the bishopric of Liege, the emperor,
who was then in Flanders, thought of not venturing to offer him this see
because he knew how grievous a mortification it would be to his humility. He
therefore ordered his secretary to draw up a placit, or letter of
recommendation or nomination, for him to sign in favour of a certain religious
man of the Order of St. Jerom. Afterwards, finding that the secretary had put
down the name of F. Thomas of Villa Nova, he asked the reason. The secretary
answered, that he thought he had heard this name; but would easily rectify the
mistake. “By no means,” said the emperor; “this has happened by a particular
providence of God. Let us therefore follow his will.” So he signed the placit
for St. Thomas, and it was forthwith sent him to Valladolid, where he was
prior. The saint wept bitterly upon receiving the news, and used all means
possible to excuse himself. But Prince Philip, who was regent of Spain during
his father’s absence, was not easily to be overcome; and the archbishop of
Toledo, and several others, fearing lest the nomination should be by any means
frustrated, engaged the saint’s provincial to command him, in virtue of his
religious obedience, and under a threat of excommunication, to submit to the
emperor’s will.
Pope Paul III. sent the
bull for his consecration, and that ceremony was performed at Valladolid by
cardinal John of Tavera, archbishop of Toledo. The saint set out very early
next morning for Valentia. His mother, who had converted his house into an
hospital for the use of the poor and sick, and resolved to spend the rest of
her days in their service, entreated him to take Villa Nova in his way, that
she might have the satisfaction of seeing him before she died. But the holy
bishop, having recommended that affair to God, according to his usual custom, went
directly to his diocess, being persuaded that his present character obliged him
to postpone all other considerations to that of hastening to the flock
committed to his care. He travelled on foot, in his monastic habit, which was
very old, with no other hat than one he had worn ever since his profession,
accompanied by one religious man of his Order, and two servants. Upon his
arrival at Valentia, he retired to a convent of his Order, where he spent
several days in penance and devout prayer, to beg the grace of God; by which he
might be enabled worthily to acquit himself of his charge. He took possession
of his cathedral on the first day of the ensuing year, 1545; which he was
prevailed upon to do with the usual ceremonies, amidst the rejoicings and acclamations
of the people. But when he was led to the throne prepared for him in the
church, he cast away the cushions and silk tapestry, fell upon his knees on the
bare floor, embraced the foot of the cross, and adored our Lord, pouring forth
a torrent of tears; and before he rose up he humbly kissed the ground. The
chapter, in consideration of his poverty, made him a present of four thousand
ducats towards furnishing his house, which he accepted of in an humble and
civil manner, and thanked them for their kindness; but he immediately sent the
money to the great hospital, with an order to lay it out in repairing the
house, for the use of the poor patients. The first thing he did after the
public ceremonies were over, was to visit the prisons of his bishopric, and
judging them too dark and inconvenient, he ordered them to be changed, and make
commodious.
It is often said, that
“Honours change manners:” but our saint kept not only the same perfect humility
of heart, but, as much as possible, the same exterior marks of a sovereign
contempt of himself and all worldly vanity. He went almost as meanly apparelled
as before; and even kept for some years the very habit which he brought from
his monastery, which he sometimes mended himself, as he had been wont to do in
his convent. One of his canons surprising him one day in the fact, said, he
wondered he would so meanly employ his time, which a tailor would save him for
a trifle. The servant of God said, that he was still a religious man, and that
that trifle would feed some poor man; but he desired him to tell nobody of what
he saw him doing. Ordinarily he wore only old clothes, insomuch, that his
canons and domestics were ashamed of him, himself alone not blushing. When he
was pressed by them to put himself into a dress and equipage suitable to his
dignity, his answer was, that he had made a vow of poverty; and that his
authority did not depend upon his dress or appearance, but was to be supported
by his zeal and vigilance. With much ado his canons gained so far upon him that
he cast away his woollen hat, and wore one of silk. Upon which he used
afterwards sometimes to show his hat, and merrily say: “Behold my episcopal
dignity: my masters the canons judged it necessary that I should wear this silk
hat, that I might be numbered among the archbishops.” The frugality of his
table was not less extraordinary, and he continued to observe the fasts and
abstinence prescribed by his rule: nor would he ever suffer any expensive fish
to be bought for his table; saying, the superfluous price would feast some poor
person; and that he was not master, but only dispenser of the goods of the
church. In Advent and Lent, upon Wednesdays and Fridays, and on vigils, he
contented himself with a little bread and water, fasting till night. His palace
was a true house of poverty: there was no tapestry to be seen in it; nor did he
use any linen, unless when he was sick; he oftentimes took his rest upon a
bundle of dry sticks, with no other pillow than a hard stone.
He discharged all the
duties of a good pastor, and visited the churches of his diocess, preaching
every where, both in the towns and villages, with such zeal and affection, that
the words which came from his mouth seemed so many flashes of lightning, or
claps of thunder. His sermons were followed with a wonderful change of the
manners and lives of men, in all places he visited, so that one might say he
was a new apostle or prophet raised by God to reform that people. Having ended
his visitation, he assembled a provincial council, where, with the advice of
his fellow-bishops, he made holy ordinances to cut off the abuses he had taken
notice of in his visitation, especially to establish a perfect reformation of
his clergy. To effect that of his own chapter it cost him much difficulty and
time; though he at last gained his point. On all emergencies, like another
Moses, he had recourse to the tabernacle to learn the will of God: he often
spent nights and days in his oratory to beg light from above. The saint
perceiving that his servants made a difficulty to disturb him at his devotions
when persons came to consult him, gave them a strict charge, that as soon as
any one asked for him, they should immediately call him, without making the
party wait; giving them this reason, that though solitude and retirement were
his sweetest delight, since he had accepted the archbishopric he was no longer
his own master, but was engaged in the service of his flock. By his assiduity
in prayer he obtained so excellent a gift of counsel and prudence, that when he
had passed sentence, or given his opinion in any matter of importance, the
lawyers were wont to say, there was no room for any further doubt. When any
affair of great consequence was to be despatched, or any notorious sinners or
public malefactors appeared deaf to all exhortations, the holy pastor spent
whole nights in prayer, and to render his prayers more efficacious, he
accompanied them with tears and with some extraordinary austerities and alms.
Thus he obtained of God several wonderful conversions of obstinate sinners and
malefactors, especially of two wicked priests. One of these he had conjured, in
the most tender and vehement expressions, to remember how dear a price his soul
cost our Redeemer, and finding him not sufficiently softened, he threw himself
down before a crucifix, and pouring out a deluge of tears, uncovered his back,
and tore his body with a discipline, so that his garments were all stained with
his blood. Which charity moved the other to begin to weep for himself, and to
cast himself at his feet, beseeching him to forbear exercising that cruelty
against himself, saying: “It is I who have sinned, and who deserve all
punishment,” &c. 1
St. Thomas was most
bountiful and tender towards all his servants. His bishopric was worth eighteen
thousand ducats per annum; two thousand of which were paid to Prince George of
Austria, as a pension reserved to him upon his resignation: twelve thousand the
saint gave to the poor, not reserving one penny for the following year, and he
allowed himself only four thousand to defray all the expenses of his family,
repairs of his palace, &c. There came to his door every day about five
hundred poor people, and each of them received an alms, which was ordinarily
bread and pottage, with a cup of wine and a piece of money. He took all poor
orphans under his particular care; and for the space of eleven years that he
was archbishop, not one poor maid was married who was not helped by his
charity. He brought up all the foundling infants in his diocess with the
tenderness of a careful mother; often visited them all, and gave extraordinary
recompenses to those nurses who were particularly tender and diligent. To his
porters, to make them more diligent in finding children who were exposed by
their parents, he gave a crown for every foundling they brought him. When, in
1550, a pirate had plundered a town in his diocess, near the sea-coast, the
archbishop immediately sent four thousand ducats, and cloth worth as much more,
to furnish the inhabitants with necessaries, and to ransom the captives.
Nor was he only the support
of the poor himself, but he engaged the great lords, and all who were rich, to
make their grandeur appear, not by pomp and vanities, but by becoming the
fathers and protectors of their vassals, and by their profuse liberality to the
necessitous. He exhorted them to be richer in mercy and charity, than they were
in earthly possessions. “Answer me, O sinner,” he would say, “what can you
purchase with your money better, or more necessary, than the redemption of your
sins?” At other times he would say: “If you desire that God should hear your
prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you desire that God should relieve your
wants, relieve those of the indigent, without waiting for them to importune
you; especially anticipate the necessities of those who are ashamed to beg; to
make these ask an alms, is to make them to buy it.” His charity towards his
neighbour, and all his other virtues received their perfection from the most
ardent love of God which burnt in his pure breast, and which he expressed both
by works and by the most tender words and sweet sighs. “Thou commandest me, O
Lord,” said he sometimes in imitation of St. Austin, “to love thee in all
things, and above all things; and thou commandest me this very strictly, under
pain of being for ever deprived of the vision of thy beautiful and amiable
face, which the angels desire continually to behold. And what! is it possible,
O my God, that I should be so ungrateful and so base as to stand in need of
such a precept? After having been created by Thee to thy own image, and
redeemed with the infinite price of the blood of thy dear Son; after having
received so many and so great favours, do I stand in need of a command to love
thee? Ah! my God, thou confoundest me by this precept. But, O infinitely sweet
and delicious command! O light burden! I return Thee immortal thanks, O my God,
for having obliged me by so holy and so desirable a law, to love thee. What
could be so agreeable and pleasant, so just and so glorious as to love Thee? Is
it possible that any creature capable of knowing Thee, should not love Thee? If
I were forbidden to love Thee, this ought to seem impossible and intolerable to
me. This affrights me above all the other evils and torments of hell. O
wretched creatures who are condemned to that unhappy place, because you love
not, but hate and blaspheme your Creator! is this the acknowledgment you render
him? May I perish, O my God, rather than ever cease to love Thee. If I forget
Thee, let my own right hand be forgotten. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of
my mouth, if I do not remember Thee, and always make Thee the object of my joy
and love,” &c. 2 And again, “Who can be excused from
so sweet and light a precept? How justly is he damned eternally who chooses
rather to burn in hell than to love Thee.” 3
St. Thomns not being able,
through the weakness of his health, to assist in person at the council of
Trent, deputed thither the bishop Huësca in his place. Most of the Spanish
bishops who went, repaired first to Valentia to receive his advice. The saint
lived in perpetual fear and apprehension under the grievous obligations of the episcopal
charge, and used to say, that, “he was never so much afraid lest he should be
blotted out of the number of the predestinated, as since he had been enrolled
in the list of bishops.” He had often employed his interest at Rome and at the
court of Spain for leave to resign his dignity. God was pleased at length to
hear his prayer, by calling him to himself. The blessed man having been
forewarned by a vision that he should die on the feast of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin, was taken ill of a quinsy, attended with a violent fever, on
the 29th of August. He began his immediate preparation for his passage by a
general confession of his very least faults, which he made with many tears, as
if he had been the greatest of all sinners. Then he received the viaticum; on
which occasion, by a most pathetic exhortation which he made, he moved all that
were present to weep bitterly. And having commanded all the money then in his
possession (which amounted to four thousand ducats) to be distributed among the
poor in all the parishes of the city, he then ordered all his goods to be given
to the rector of his college, except the bed on which he lay. Being desirous to
go naked out of the world, he gave this bed also to the jailer, for the use of
prisoners, but borrowed it of him till such time as he should expire.
Understanding that some money had been brought in for him, he caused it to be
immediately sent to the poor at midnight. On the 8th of September in the
morning, perceiving his strength to decay, he caused the passion of our Lord
according to St. John to be read to him, during which he frequently lifted up
his eyes bathed in tears towards a crucifix. Then he ordered mass to be said in
his presence, and after the consecration, recited the psalm, In te,
Domine, speravi, &c., streams of tears falling from his eyes; after the
priest’s communion he said that verse: Into thy hands, O Lord, I
commend my spirit; at which words he rendered his soul into the hands of
God, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, the eleventh of his episcopal
dignity, of our Lord 1555. He was buried, according to his desire, in the
church of the Austin Friars at Valentia: was beatified by Paul V., in 1618, and
canonized by Alexander VII., in 1658. His festival was appointed to be
celebrated on the 18th of September. His sermons, and his exposition of the
book of Canticles, printed in two volumes in quarto, breathe an admirable
spirit of humility, and the ardent love of God and our Blessed Redeemer. The
relation of many miracles wrought through his intercession and by his relics,
with most authentic attestations, may be seen in the process of his
canonization prefixed to his works.
Nothing can be more
vehement or more tender than his exhortation to divine love. “O wonderful
beneficence!” he cries out; “God promises us heaven for the recompence of his
love. Is not his love itself a great reward? a blessing the most desirable, the
most amiable, and the most sweet! Yet a recompence, and so immense a
recompence, further waits upon it. O wonderful excess of goodness! Thou givest
thy love, and for this thy love thou bestowest on us paradise. Such and so
great a good is thy love, that to obtain it, all torments and fatigues ought
joyfully to have been undergone. Yet this thou bestowest on us free cost; and
then givest heaven for its reward. O Omnipotent Jesus, give me what thou
commandest. For though to love Thee be of all things the most sweet; yet it is
above the reach and strength of nature. I am, notwithstanding, inexcusable, if
I do not love Thee; for thou grantest thy love to all who desire or ask it. I
cannot see without light: yet if I shut my eyes in the midst of the noon-day
light, the fault is in me, not in the sun.” 4
Note 1. See Rodericus a Cygnâ archiep. Bracar.
l, de confessar. solicitant. qu. 13, n. 38. [
back]
Note 2. S. Tho. a Villâ Novâ Serm. l, super
Diliges Dominum Deum Tuam. [back]
Note 3. Ibid. See also Serm, de M.
Magdalenâ, &c. [back]
Note 4. Serm, super Diliges Dominum,
&c. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume
IX: September. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Esteban Murillo.
Santo Tomás de Villanueva orando ante el crucifijo,
huile sur bois, 130 x
72,
Sevilla, Museo de Bellas Artes
St. Thomas of Villanova
Educator, philanthropist,
born at Fuentellana, Spain, 1488; died at Valencia, 8 September, 1555. Son
of Aloazo Tomas Garcia and Lucia
Martínez Castellanos,
the saint was brought up in the practices of religion
and charity. Every Friday his father was wont to give in alms all the meal he earned at the mill, besides
his usual daily dole of bread. On great feast-days
he added wood, wine, and money;
while to poor farmers he loaned
money and seed. On the death of her husband, Lucia continued the usual alms, and supplied indigent
maidens in the neighbourhood
with clothing and money. When sixteen tears old, Thomas
entered the University of Alcalá, where, after proceeding master of arts and licentiate in theology, he filled the chair (1514) of arts, logic, and philosophy. Among his auditors
were the famed scholars Ferdinand
de Encina and Dominic Soto. With Alcalá,
however, ended his university associations, he having declined
the chair of natural philosophy
at Salamanca, where he joined
the Augustinians in 1516, his vows following a year later, and his ordination to priesthood the year after; his first Mass was celebrated at Christmas, 1518. At Salamanca
Convent Thomas
was given the class of scholastic theology because of his attachment for books, chiefly
the Lombard and St. Thomas, and his exemplary life. Preaching in the pulpits of Spain was soon added to his duties, among other places at Valencia, the field of his later trials, and Valladolid,
seat of the imperial Court and residence of the Emperor Charles V when on his visits to the Low
Countries. In this last-named city St.
Thomas was named by the emperor his court preacher, and one
of his councillors of state. Rarely,
however, did the saint pay visits of ceremony to the then master of Europe, though his written correspondence with Charles,
who held his opinions in high esteem, was voluminous. Towards the close of his
life, while at Valencia, he had all the emperor's letters
destroyed; his own letters to the emperor, however, are now stored at Simancas.
Apart from these
burdens Thomas held many offices
of trust in his order, e.g. as convent prior
in various cities, among others at Valladolid
in 1544, the very year he was called to the See of Valencia.
Moreover, he was twice provincial-prior, first of Andalusia and Castile
in 1527, then six years later of Castile alone, whence the first mission band of his brethren
was sent across the Atlantic in 1533 to establish houses of their order in Mexico.
On 5 Aug., 1544, he received his nomination to the Archbishopric
of Valencia, a post that for
well-nigh a hundred years had witnessed
no bishop in residence, an appointment that was confirmed
by Paul III. Previously St. Thomas had declined the See of Granada, offered
him by the emperor, while that of Valencia
he accepted only through obedience
to his superiors. He was consecrated in the church
of his order at Valladolid by
Juan, Cardinal Tavera
de Pardo, Archbishop of Toledo.
On his entrance to his see on 1 Jan., 1545, of which he was thirty-second
bishop and eighth archbishop, St. Thomas
opened his career as legislator and philanthropist, which won for him the
titles of "Almsgiver", "Father of the Poor",
and "Model of Bishops", given him at his beatification in 1618 by Paul V. During his eleven years of episcopal
rule his most noteworthy deeds
were as follows: a visitation of
his diocese, opened a few weeks after entrance into his see. Among other amendments he inhibited his visitators
from accepting any gifts
whatever. He then held a synod,
the first at Valencia for many
years, whereby he sought to do away with a number of abuses, as bloodshed,
divorce, concubinage, and many excessive privileges
or unreasonable exemptions; he
abolished the underground prisons; rebuilt the general hospital at Valencia
which had just been destroyed by fire; founded two colleges,
one for young ecclesiastics, the other for poor
students; laboured for the conversion
of the nuevos Cristianos, whose profession of Christianity was largely mere outward show; established a creche
near his palace for foundlings
and the offspring of indigent parents; had Mass
said at early hours for the working-classes; and in brief,
by statutes, by preaching, and by example, strove to
reform the morals of churchman
and layman.
Towards the poor
especially his heart was ever alive with pity; to them his palace gate was
always open; daily he had a repast for every poor
person that applied for help, as many even as four to
five hundred thus getting their meals at his hands. In every district of the
city he had almoners appointed with orders
especially to search out the respectable persons who shrank from asking alms; these he had supplied with money, food,
clothing, while as to indigent
workmen, poor farmers, and
mechanics, he replenished their stock and brought them tools, thus putting them
in the way of making a living. His whole life as replete with acts
of practical kindness. He spent his spare time chiefly in prayer and study; his table was one of simple fare,
with no luxuries. His dress was inexpensive; he mended with his own hands
whatever needed repairs. Numberless are the instances of St. Thomas' supernatural gifts, of his power of healing the sick,
of multiplication of food, of redressing grievances, of his ecstasies, of his conversions
of sinners. He was taken ill in August, 1555, of angina
pectoris, of which he died at the age of 67, at the termination of Mass
in his bedroom. His last words were the versicles: "In manus tuas,
Domine", etc.; his remains were entombed at the convent Church
of Our Lady of Help of his order
outside the city walls, whence later they were brought to the cathedral. The saint
was of well-knit frame, of medium height, with dark complexion, brilliant eyes,
ruddy cheeks, and Roman nose. He
was beatified by Paul V (7 Oct., 1618), who set his feast-day for 18 Sept., and canonized by Alexander VII on 1 Nov., 1658.
Various reasons are
given to account for St. Thomas'
non-appearance at the Council of Trent, among them that he was ill, unable to stand
the fatigue of travel; that his people would not brook his absence; and that
the emperor was unable to do without his aid at home. The writings of St.
Thomas, mainly sermons, are
replete with practical norms of mystic
theology. Some twenty editions have been published, the
best and most complete being probably that of Manila, 1882-1884, in 5 tomes.
Dohan, Edward. "St. Thomas of Villanova." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 14.
New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 18 Sept. 2015
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14696a.htm>. Transcription. This article was transcribed for
New Advent by Marie Jutras.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. July
1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal
Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2021 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14696a.htm
ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA
On Sept. 22, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Thomas of Villanova, a
16th century Spanish Augustinian monk and archbishop who lived a life of
austerity in order to provide for the spiritual and material needs of his
people.
Born during
1488 in the Spanish region of Castile, in the town of Villanova de los
Infantes, Thomas Garcia was raised to take after the faith and charitable works
of his parents Alphonsus and Lucia. His father, a mill worker, regularly
distributed food and provisions to the poor, as did his mother.
Generous and
devout from an early age, their son was also intellectually gifted, beginning
his studies at the University of Alcala at age 16. Within ten years he had
become a professor of philosophy at that same university, where he taught for
two years before being offered a more prestigious position at the University of
Salamanca.
Thomas,
however, chose not to continue his academic career. After his father’s death,
he had determined to leave much of his inheritance to the poor and sick rather
than retaining it himself. At age 28, after much deliberation, Thomas embraced
a life of chastity, poverty, and religious obedience with his entry into the
monastic Order of St. Augustine.
Thomas made
his first vows as an Augustinian in 1517 and was ordained a priest in 1518. He
taught theology within his order and became renowned for his eloquent and
effective preaching in the churches of Salamanca. This led to his appointment
as a court preacher and adviser to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
Presented
with the prospect of being named an archbishop, Thomas initially declined and
instead continued his work within the Order of St. Augustine, during a period
that saw its expansion across the sea to Mexico. In August of 1544, however, he
was ordered by his religious superiors to accept his appointment as the
Archbishop of Valencia.
Thomas
arrived wearing the same well-worn monastic habit that he had worn for several
years and would continue wearing for years to come. Given a donation to decorate
his residence, he funnelled the money to a hospital in need of repair. After
his installation, he visited local prisons and ordered changes to be made in
response to their inhumane conditions.
While
continuing his life of monastic asceticism, the archbishop worked to improve
the spiritual lives and living conditions of the faithful. He gave special
attention to the needs of the poor, feeding and sheltering them in his own
residence. During the same period he worked to promote education, restore religious
orthodoxy, and reform the lifestyles of clergy and laypersons.
After 11
years leading the Archdiocese of Valencia, St. Thomas of Villanova succumbed to
a heart condition at the end of a Mass held in his home on Sept. 8, 1555. He is
said to have died on the floor rather than in his bed, which he insisted on
offering to a poor man who had come to his house. Pope Alexander VII canonized
him in 1658.
St. Thomas of Villanova
Villanova
University is named for a Spanish Augustinian, Thomas García (1486-1555), the
son of a miller who was born in Fuenllana, a village near Villanova de los
Infantes, Castile, Spain. Thomas studied at the University of Alcalá where he
received his master’s degree in 1509, and the insignia marking him as a doctor
shortly thereafter. In 1512, he became a professor of philosophy at the
University of Alcalá where his lectures were received enthusiastically for
their clarity and conviction. In addition, Thomas was praised by his students
and colleagues for always being friendly and helpful.
In 1516, Thomas was
offered the chair of philosophy at the prestigious University of Salamanca,
where the Augustinians had founded a monastery in 1377. Thomas declined the
chair and instead entered the Augustinian Order in that city. Ordained to the
priesthood in 1520, Thomas was soon asked to assume administrative positions in
the Order. He served as prior of the Augustinian houses in Salamanca, Burgos,
and Valladolid, and was later elected provincial of Andalusia and Castile. As
provincial, he sent the first Augustinian missionaries to the New World where
they helped evangelize what is now modern Mexico and, from there, the
Philippines.
Thomas’ many gifts,
especially his scholarship, powerful, uncompromising oratory, skills as a
mediator and administrator, and his sensitivity to the feelings and needs of
others, brought him to the attention of Emperor Charles V, who appointed him
court chaplain and then archbishop of Valencia in 1544.
Thomas flourished
in Spain at a time when the European peoples of the fifteenth and sixteenth
century were confronted by challenges to their world views of the natural
world, ecclesiastical authority, and the moral dilemmas concerning the nature
of African slaves and the indigenous peoples of the Americas. As priest and
archbishop, Thomas insisted that the material resources of the Church should be
shared with those in the greatest need. His life was characterized by the love
of learning, peacemaking, and as a reformer of the Church.
His
Intellectual Legacy
Thomas’ intellectual
legacy is reflected in his constant demand that all learning must be inspired
by the desire for God. He celebrated learning as an activity that ought to make
a difference in the community and in the world. He emphasized that justice and
love are the guiding rules of virtue and learning. In Thomas’ writings we find
a rich synthesis of the thought of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, especially his
emphasis on the innate desire for God in all peoples, the image of God in the
human person, the power of grace, and a theology of love.
Thomas found
himself in an ecclesiastical world that was fraught with turmoil and struggles
for power. His scathing attacks on his fellow bishops earned him the title of
reformer, but he was motivated by a genuine desire that Church leadership
personify the teachings of the Beatitudes. In words that are very contemporary,
Thomas challenged all within the Church to serve the least powerful, and to
discover love and wisdom in the service of others.
Thomas was known as
“father of the poor.” He established social programs on behalf of the poor,
including boarding schools and high schools for poor young men. For girls he
provided dowries enabling them to be married with dignity. For the hungry, he
created a soup kitchen in the bishop’s palace, and for the homeless he provided
a place to sleep. In an Advent sermon, he said: “Rejoice, then, you poor
people; shout for joy, you needy ones; because even if the world holds you in
contempt you are highly valued by your Lord God and the angels.” His love of
the poor extended to all creation. Thomas’ teachings, scholarship, and special
concern for the impoverished inspire Villanova’s mission of seeking wisdom,
love, and justice.
SOURCE : http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/mission/heritage/stthomas.html
_-_Tommaso_Da_Villanova.jpg)
San Tommaso da Villanova Vescovo
8 settembre
Villanueva, Spagna, 1486 - Valencia, 8 settembre 1555
Nacque a Fuenllana, Ciudad Real (Spagna) da genitori
religiosi e caritatevoli dai quali ereditò uno sviscerato amore per i poveri.
Laureato in filosofia entrò nella Comunità agostiniana. Ordinato sacerdote, fu
nominato predicatore e, contro la sua volontà, fu superiore della comunità per
tutta la vita. Eletto arcivescovo di Valencia diede al proprio Ordine una
dimensione vasta, inviando missionari anche in Perù. Ispirandosi agli
insegnamenti del Buon pastore, di san Paolo, e dei grandi vescovi, non volle abbandonare
la sua diocesi neppure per il Concilio di Trento. Chiamato il San Bernardo
spagnolo per la sua profondità teologica sulla Vergine, soccorse i bisognosi
(creò perfino un brefotrofio nel palazzo vescovile), si occupò della gioventù,
difese la diocesi dalla minaccia musulmana e fondò il Collegio seminario della
Presentazione. Fu il più grande predicatore del suo tempo ma, più che con le
parole, egli convinse con l'esempio della sua vita. Fu dichiarato beato nel
1618 e Alessandro VII lo canonizzò nel 1658. I suoi resti sono esposti nella
cattedrale di Valencia. (Avvenire)
Etimologia: Tommaso = gemello, dall'ebraico
Emblema: Bastone pastorale
Martirologio Romano: A Valencia in Spagna, san
Tommaso da Villanova, vescovo: eremita sotto la regola di sant’Agostino,
accettò per obbedienza l’ufficio episcopale ed eccelse, tra le altre virtù di
pastore, per un amore per i poveri così ardente da dilapidare tutto per i
bisognosi, senza lasciare per sé neppure un piccolo letto.
Nacque a Fuenllana, Ciudad Real (Spagna) da genitori
religiosi e caritatevoli dai quali ereditò uno sviscerato amore per i poveri. Da
Villanueva de los Infantes, città dove andò a vivere la famiglia e dalla quale
prenderà poi il nome, a soli quindici anni fu mandato a studiare all'Università
di Alcalà dove, nel 1509, ottenne il titolo di maestro di logica, fisica e
metafisica. Per tre anni seguì il corso di teologia, interrompendolo per
reggere la cattedra di logica (1512-1516). I 15 anni di permanenza ad Alcalà
imprimeranno una profonda impronta umanistica al resto della sua vita.
Nel 1516 va a Salamanca per professare nell'Ordine agostiniano. Riceve il
sacerdozio nel 1518. A 32 anni. I superiori ben presto scoprono le sue doti.
Gli incarichi si succedono ininterrottamente: Priore di Salamanca (1519-21 e
1523-25), Visitatore della provincia di Castiglia (1525-27), Provinciale di
quella andalusa (1527-29), Priore di Burgos (1531-34), Provinciale di Castiglia
(1534-37), Priore di Burgos (1541-44) .
Carlo V, che nutre per lui una predilezione tale da considerarlo una delle
persone chiave nella riforma dei suoi regni, lo nomina suo predicatore e
consigliere e, rimasta vacante la sede di Valencia (1544), lo presenta come
Arcivescovo di quella città.
Valencia si trovava in una condizione spirituale deplorevole: più di un secolo
senza un vescovo residente, molti chierici in situazione irregolare, moreschi
agitati. Tommaso, per prima cosa, dirige i suoi sforzi alla ricristianizzazione
della diocesi. Per formare un clero capace di dare con la sua vita una
testimonianza autentica, fonda il collegio-seminario della Presentazione
(1550). Convoca un sinodo e visita tutte le parrocchie, agendo con mano
energica e paterna. Tra le sue opere pastorali, due in particolare meritano di
essere ricordate: l’assistenza ai poveri e l’evangelizzazione dei moreschi. La
riuscita attività in favore del gregge che gli era stato affidato e la sua
erudizione fecero di lui uno degli uomini più rispettati del tempo e l’immagine
del vescovo ideale.
Morì nel 1555. Fu dichiarato beato nel 1618 e Alessandro VII lo canonizzò nel
1658.
I suoi resti sono esposti alla venerazione dei fedeli nella cattedrale di
Valencia.
Autore: P. Bruno Silvestrini O.S.A.
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/71300
.JPG)
