Science & Culture
John of Ávila
Saint John of Ávila was born in Almodovar del Campo, Spain, on January 6, 1500. His apostolic life developed mainly in Andalucía, where churches filled to listen to his sermons. He was a preacher who used simple and profound words to touch the hearts of those who listened to him. Among his many disciples are San Ignacio de Loyola, San Juan de Dios, San Francisco de Borja, San Juan de Ribera, San Juan de la Cruz, San Pedro de Alcántara, Santo Tomás de Villanueva, and Santa Teresa de Jesús. He died in Montilla, Cordoba, Spain, on May 10, 1569.
On August 20, 2011, at the end of the mass for the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would declare Saint John of Ávila as a doctor of the Catholic Church. That declaration took place October 7, 2012. Being named a doctor of the church is an honor rarely conferred and only takes place after a saint has been canonized.
