Almost forgot, Happy Birthday St. John of Avila!!
This date in 1499, John was born in Almovodar del Campo in Spain. He died in 1569 and was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. His life as a diocesan priest and itinerant preacher was seen as such an example that Pope VI named him the Patron for priests to go to if they have an identity crisis. In 1954. Pope Pius XII named his the Patron of the Diocesan clergy of Spain.
San Juan de Avila is not well known in this country. His feast day in Spain is May 11. I am very well acquainted with him because my STL thesis (about 520 pages including the sermons) was on San Juan’s Marian homilies, commonly known as The Book of the Virgin. He is a powerful preacher, but most of his works are still in Spanish. The only English translations are his Marian homilies, which I have done, and his spiritual work AUDI FILIA, translated by Sr. Joan Gormley who teaches at the other Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg. Her translation is published in the CLASSICS OF WESTERN SPIRITUALITY SERIES from Paulist Press. Maybe one day I will be able to publish my translations of his Marian works. Also, maybe one day I will be able to finish my doctorate on St. John’s mariology. Also, maybe one day pigs will fly! Time will tell.
San Juan de Avila, ruega por nosotros!!
