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May 10 - Saint John of Avila breski1 Apostle of Andalusia Juan de Ávila Jijón Memorial 10 May Profile Born to a wealthy Castilian family with Jewish ancestry. Studied law at the University of …More
May 10 - Saint John of Avila breski1

Apostle of Andalusia
Juan de Ávila Jijón
Memorial
10 May
Profile
Born to a wealthy Castilian family with Jewish ancestry. Studied law at the University of Salamanca from age 14, and felt a call to religious life. Studied theology and philosophy at Alcala, Spain at age 17. Lawyer. Following the death of his parents, he liquidated most of his large fortune, and gave it to the poor. Ordained in 1525. He wanted to be a missionary in the West Indies and Mexico, but became a travelling preacher in Andalusia for 40 years, re-evangelizing a region previously ruled by the Moors. He spoke boldly against the sins of the ruling classes, made powerful enemies, and at one point was imprisoned in Seville, Spain by the Inquisition, accused of false teachings; the charges were dismissed, John was released, and his preaching became more popular than ever. Spiritual director of Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Francis Borgia, Saint John of God, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Peter of Alcántara, and Saint Louis of Granada. Writer whose works continue their influence today. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 October 2012.
Born
6 January 1499 at Almodovar del Campo (Ciudad Real), Toledo, New Castile, Spain
Died
10 May 1569 at Montilla, Provincia de Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain of natural causes
interred in the Basílica de San Juan de Ávila in Montilla
Venerated
8 February 1759 by Pope Clement XIII (decree of heroic virtues)
Beatified
4 April 1894 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized
31 May 1970 by Pope Paul VI
Patronage
Andalusia, Spain
Spain

Spanish secular clergy
World Youth Day 2011