John of Ávila

Who they were

John was born at Almodóvar del Campo in southern Spain on 6 January 1499 or 1500, to devout parents of 'new Christian' families converted from Judaism. He studied philosophy and theology at Alcalá from 1520 to 1526. He tried to leave for the missions in America, but the bishop of Seville was persuaded to keep him, and his converso descent barred him from emigrating.

He stayed in the diocese of Seville teaching the catechism to children and adults, and priests began to gather around him; he became known as the Apostle of Andalusia. He died on 10 May 1569 and was buried in the Jesuit church, today San Francisco.

The miracles

Sources disagree on his beatification: Vatican News gives 6 April 1864; other sources give 15 November 1894, by Leo XIII. Pius XII named him Apostle of Andalusia and patron of the Spanish secular clergy in 1946, and Benedict XVI proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church on 7 October 2012.

Why that counted as sanctity

John of Ávila, barred from the missions he dreamed of, became a missionary at home, forming priests and ordinary Christians with teaching that the Church has called excellent for its precision, breadth and depth, born of study, prayer and experience of God.

Connected on this site

• Juan de Ribera Saint
  “Ordained and a doctor of theology, he was a friend of the Dominicans and Jesuits and corresponded with St John of Ávila.” — this site's research
• Pius XII Venerable
  “Pius XII named him Apostle of Andalusia and patron of the Spanish secular clergy in 1946, and Benedict XVI proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church on 7 October 2012.” — this site's research