St John of Avila, Doctor of the Church: Discerning your Spiritual Journey

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Our Price:  £9.99(VAT Free) –+ Add to Basket Author: Denise Clare Oliver Product Code:  B2117 ISBN:  9780852447666 Publisher:  Gracewing Format  Paperback Pages  154 Availability      In stock, immediate despatch Share Tweet

St John of Ávila is the 34th "Doctor of the church." .The Spanish saint, who lived 1500-1569, was famed as a preacher, confessor and spiritual writer. He is best known for the works Audi, Filia (Listen, Daughter), which is a guide to the spiritual life, and for his Treaty of God's Love. In Spain he is honored as the patron saint of diocesan priests. Saint John of Ávila was born in Almodóvar del Campo of a wealthy and pious family of Jewish converso descent. His first sermon was preached on 22 July 1529, and immediately established his reputation. During his nine years of missionary work in Andalusia, crowds packed the churches at all his sermons. However, his strong pleas for reform and the denunciation of the behaviour of the high society brought him before the inquisitor at Seville. He was charged with exaggerating the dangers of wealth and with closing the gates of heaven to the rich. John of Ávila is also remembered as a reformer of clerical life in Spain. He founded several colleges for young men where his disciples dedicated themselves to teaching. Among those attracted by his preaching and saintly reputation were St Teresa of Ávila, Saint John of God, Saint Francis Borgia and the Venerable Louis of Granada. He is especially revered by the Jesuits: their development in Spain is attributed to his friendship and support to the Society of Jesus.He was declared Venerable by Pope Clement XIII on 8 February 1759 and beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 12 November 1893. In 31 May 1970 he was canonised by Pope Paul VI. In this book, which includes an introduction to his life, and works, Dr Oliver focuses on the soul's journey in the life of prayer, how to overcome particular strugges and temptations, and how to recognise the subtle tricks of the devil. She takes great care to help the reader understand how to differentiate between spiritual experiences which are not essential for the advancing in holiness and that which is necessary for growth in the spiritual life.