Saint Thomas of Villanova (1488 – 1555) is in some regions still a very popular saints, with novenas preceding his traditional feast day on September 22nd. A large town and university is named after him in Pennsylvania, which, like so many others, has strayed from its Catholic roots and foundation. This would sadden the pious Augustinian friar after whom the institution was named. What applies to the Church – ecclesia semper reformanda est (always in need of reform) – applies also to schools and universities.
Our saint today was born Tomás García y Martínez, to a noble family in Spain. From his earliest years, the boy was dedicated to the poor, often giving away his very clothing. After studying the liberal arts, he became a professor, he joined the Augustinians and was ordained a priest in 1518, soon renowned for his preaching, personal austerity and charity. In 1544, he was chosen as bishop of Valencia, and his work only redoubled, visiting each of his parishes, founding a seminary and other apostolic endeavours. His almsgiving was always rational and ordered, in accord with the ordo amoris described by Saint Thomas and others. As the good bishop put it, charity is not just giving, rather removing the need of those who receive charity and liberating them from it when possible.
We could learn a lesson from this in our own day.
Bishop Tomás died quite fittingly on Our Lady’s birthday, September 8th, 1555, and was canonized on All Saints Day, November 1st, in 1658.
May he intercede for all of our bishops, that they fulfil the tasks laid upon them in accord with the mind and spirit of Christ, and aided by His grace.
