SAINT THOMAS DE VILLANUEVA: MARIAN AND PRIESTLY SPIRITUALITY

Abstract

This article presents and shows the connection between devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the formation of future priests in the spirituality of Santo Tomás de Villanueva, the intimate union between two of his great loves, the Virgin Mary and the priests. Following the Gospel of the Good Shepherd and the sermons of his father Saint Augustine on what the qualities of a good priest should be, who has as a model the only Pastor, who is the Lord Jesus, and to improve the formation of priests already from the seminary , he founded his own, in 1550, the College of the Presentation of the BV Maria in the Temple, which after the
Capranica of Rome, is the first in the world, anticipating the mandate of Trent that creates the seminaries. Finally, it is highlighted that the most remarkable thing about his episcopate was, without a doubt, his own life, which he spends devoted to holiness in personal work. The whole person of him is a preaching, a sign, a call. The best pasture he could offer is the example of his life given and worn out by him in loving concern for the salvation of souls.