Saint Thomas of Villanueva
Saint Thomas of Villanueva (born September 1, 1486 AD in Fuenllana, La Mancha, Spain; died September 8, 1555 AD in Valencia, Spain) was a Spanish Augustinian friar, preacher, theologian, and Archbishop of Valencia known as the "Almsgiver" for his extraordinary charity to the poor. He was a contemporary of the Spanish Reformation and the conquest of the Americas, and his sermons on the Immaculate Conception and the mysteries of the faith are considered among the finest of the 16th century. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1658. His feast day is September 22.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Thomas of Villanueva
| Saint Thomas of Villanueva | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 22 |
| Profession | Augustinian friar; theologian; preacher; Archbishop of Valencia; "the Almsgiver"; reformer |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Order of Saint Augustine (OSA); Spanish Catholicism; 16th-century Spanish church; Counter-Reformation; scholastic theology; School of Salamanca context |
| Patronage | Valencia; the Augustinian Order; the poor; those who give alms; Archbishop of Valencia; the mentally ill |
| Attributes | Augustinian black habit; alms or coins (his charity); the poor at his feet; simple episcopal vestments; the Cathedral of Valencia |
| Birthplace | Fuenllana, La Mancha, Spain |
| Death Place | Valencia, Spain |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died September 8, 1555 (the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), in Valencia; he was 69 years old; he had been Archbishop of Valencia for 11 years; he died in poverty, having given away virtually all the income of the archbishopric to the poor; when he died, his vestments and the mattress on which he lay were so worn that witnesses commented on their poverty; he had requested a simple burial; he died on the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, which he had particularly honored throughout his life |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Valencia — his relics; chapel dedicated to him; feast September 22 observed with solemnity |
| Liturgical Class | Memorial (Roman Rite); September 22 |
| Historic Class | Double (September 22) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Thomas was born September 1, 1486, in Fuenllana, La Mancha, Spain. He studied at the University of Salamanca and entered the Augustinian Order in 1516 at Salamanca. He lectured in philosophy and theology at the University of Salamanca and became prior of the Augustinian province of Castile.
He was known for his powerful preaching, his austere life, and his charity. Emperor Charles V proposed him for the archbishopric of Valencia in 1544. He refused three times but was ordered under obedience to accept. He arrived in Valencia on foot, refused ceremonial reception, and immediately visited the poor.
As Archbishop for 11 years he gave away virtually all the income of the archbishopric — funding orphanages, hospitals, dowries, and relief for the poor — earning the popular title "the Almsgiver." He kept almost nothing for himself.
He died September 8, 1555, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, leaving virtually no personal possessions.
Pope Paul V beatified him in 1618. Pope Alexander VII canonized him in 1658.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Fuenllana, La Mancha, Spain
Death location: Valencia, Spain
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of Valencia — his relics; chapel dedicated to him; principal shrine.
Feast day
September 22
Veneration
Saint Thomas of Villanueva, "the Almsgiver," was a Spanish Augustinian Archbishop of Valencia who gave away the entire income of his see to the poor. His sermons are among the finest Spanish theology of the 16th century. Feast September 22.
Prayers
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