Feast: September 22
Titles: Bishop, Confessor, “Father of the Poor”
Early Life and Formation
St. Thomas was born in 1488 at Fuentellana, in the kingdom of Castile, Spain. His parents, though not wealthy, were renowned for their generosity to the poor—a virtue which their son would inherit in abundance. From his earliest years, Thomas displayed a rare love of study and a deep inclination to piety. He studied at the University of Alcalá, where he quickly gained a reputation as a brilliant scholar in philosophy and theology.
Though offered many prestigious academic posts, he declined worldly advancement. Instead, in 1516, he entered the Order of St. Augustine, embracing religious life with great fervor. His humility and simplicity were as remarkable as his intellectual gifts.
Religious and Priestly Life
After ordination, St. Thomas became a professor of theology, a preacher, and eventually prior of several Augustinian houses. He was particularly noted for the austerity of his life, his zeal for religious discipline, and his love for the poor. Despite his learning, he was known for the simplicity and clarity of his sermons, which moved both the learned and the unlettered. His charity was boundless: he gave away not only money but also clothing, food, and even the bedding from his cell.
He lived with such detachment that he often appeared in a worn habit, patched and threadbare, considering it a joy to resemble Christ in poverty.
Archbishop of Valencia
In 1544, despite his protests, he was named Archbishop of Valencia by Emperor Charles V. As shepherd of the diocese, he reformed clergy and laity alike. His first concern was the training of priests, and he established seminaries for their proper instruction—a reform anticipated by the Council of Trent. He visited every parish of his vast diocese, correcting abuses, instructing the faithful, and providing for the poor with extraordinary solicitude.
So great was his charity that he was commonly called the “Almsgiver” and the “Father of the Poor.” He never turned anyone away empty-handed. His household became a refuge for the destitute, and he organized institutions for the care of orphans and the sick.
Final Years and Death
Worn out by labor and mortification, St. Thomas fell ill and died on September 8, 1555, the feast of Our Lady’s Nativity. His deathbed was marked by profound humility: he insisted on dying on a borrowed bed, clothed in his habit, surrounded by the poor who had been his lifelong companions.
When asked if he wished to leave a testament, he replied that his only inheritance was Christ and His poor.
Cult and Canonization
His sanctity was universally acclaimed. Miracles followed his death, and he was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1658. His relics are venerated in Valencia.
Virtues and Patronage
- Charity: A living image of Christ’s mercy, he distributed all he had to the needy.
- Humility: Though a bishop, he lived as a poor friar.
- Zeal for Souls: He tirelessly preached, catechized, and visited his flock.
He is invoked as Patron of the Poor, of orphans, and of studies.
Reflection
St. Thomas of Villanova reminds the faithful that true holiness lies not in eloquence or honors, but in charity lived in deed and truth. He exemplifies the Gospel words: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”