Thomas of Villanova

Thomas of Villanova (Tomás de Villanueva), born Tomás García y Martínez in 1488 at Fuenllana in La Mancha in the Crown of Castile, was a Spanish Augustinian friar, preacher, and Archbishop of Valencia. His parents, Alfonso Tomás García and Lucía Martínez, were known for piety and for charity toward the poor, a practice their son continued throughout his life. The family originated in nearby Villanueva de los Infantes, from which he later took the name by which he is commonly known. He studied at the University of Alcalá de Henares, a leading center of humanist learning in sixteenth-century Spain, distinguished himself in the arts and theology, and afterward taught philosophy there. Even as a student and young professor he was remarked for giving away clothing, money, and other possessions to those in need.

In 1516 he entered the Augustinian monastery at Salamanca and was ordained to the priesthood about two years later. He taught theology within the order, served as prior of several houses including Salamanca and Valladolid, and was elected provincial of Castile and later of Andalusia. His preaching drew large congregations, and Emperor Charles V held him in high regard, offering him major ecclesiastical offices. Thomas refused the archbishopric of Granada and at first declined Valencia as well, accepting the latter see only in 1544 under pressure of obedience. He then took up a large and difficult diocese that included many Moriscos and suffered from clerical absenteeism and inadequate pastoral care.

As archbishop he devoted himself to reform and to the relief of poverty. He established a seminary for the training of priests, in keeping with the reforming program then being defined at the Council of Trent, conducted visitations, and sought to raise the standard of preaching and clerical life. He became celebrated as the "Father of the Poor" and the "Almsgiver of Spain": he used the revenues of the archbishopric to feed the hungry, dower poor young women, support hospitals and orphanages, and otherwise relieve want, while he himself lived in marked personal austerity, wearing a worn habit and giving away even household furnishings. He continued to preach regularly and left sermons that circulated after his death. His episcopate is often cited as an example of Catholic reform in sixteenth-century Spain and of episcopal charity.

Thomas died in Valencia on 8 September 1555. Popular veneration began immediately. He was beatified by Pope Paul V on 7 October 1618 and canonized by Pope Alexander VII on 1 November 1658. His feast is kept on 22 September. He is honored as a patron of the city of Valencia, of Villanova University in Pennsylvania (founded by Augustinians), and of the poor.