St. John of Avila Biography
St. John of Avila Biography, Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Beatification Date, Canonization Date |
|
| Date of Birth | 6 January 1499 |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | Spain in Europe |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Saints who were Priests |
| Profession | Lawyer, Priest (Travelling preacher) |
| Place of Work | Spain |
| Date of Death | 10 May 1569 |
| Place of Death | Spain |
| Feast Day | May 10 |
| Beatification | |
| Canonization | Canonized by Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
|
Saint’s Biography
Saint John of Avila was born on January 6, 1499, in Almodovar del Campo in New Castile, Spain. His parents were wealthy citizens, the Jewish convert Alonso de Avila and Catalina Xixon. As a 14-year-old, John was sent to study law at the University of Salamanca, but after a year he gave up his studies.
He then returned home, where for three years he lived a life of prayer. John studied theology and philosophy at Alcala, Spain at age 17. There he met Peter Guerrero, later Archbishop of Granada. Following the death of his parents, he liquidated most of his large fortune and gave it to the poor. John became a secular priest in 1525. He wanted to join the missionaries in Mexico but became a traveling preacher in Andalusia.
Death
He died on May 10, 1569, at Montilla, Provincia de Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain of natural causes. John’s remains were interred in the Basílica de San Juan de Ávila in Montilla.
Follow @ReadingCatholic