St. Thomas of Villanova (22 September): the True Spirit of Poverty

About this sermon

What does it mean to be poor in spirit—and how can we know whether we truly possess the virtue of holy poverty? On the feast of St. Thomas of Villanova, renowned for his extraordinary charity toward the poor, this Catholic sermon examines voluntary poverty, detachment from worldly possessions, and the interior freedom necessary for following Christ. Drawing upon St. John Cassian and St. John of the Cross, Father explains why poverty lays the foundation for humility, obedience, patience, gentleness, and charity. Like a hot-air balloon casting off its ballast, the Christian soul must release its attachments while rising through an ever-increasing love of God. The sermon concludes with nine practical signs of genuine poverty of spirit: believing we already possess too much, expecting nothing as our due, choosing ordinary things, remembering those in need, making do with what is available, serving without seeking compensation, recognizing another’s needs, trusting in divine providence, and finding joy in needing nothing because we possess everything in Christ. St. Thomas of Villanova, lover of the poor, pray for us. 00:00 The barren fig tree 00:14 May Christ find fruit in us 00:23 The virtue of holy poverty 00:29 Feast of St. Thomas of Villanova 00:54 The saint’s extraordinary charity 01:18 Voluntary poverty and detachment 01:25 St. Matthew leaves everything 01:34 St. Joseph, lover of poverty 01:42 Renouncing our possessions 01:56 Why should we love poverty? 02:04 St. John Cassian on poverty 02:19 The foundation of the spiritual life 02:50 Humility cannot exist without poverty 03:21 St. John of the Cross 03:29 Wanting nothing for the love of Christ 04:04 Poverty makes us available to God 04:13 “Clutter’s Last Stand” 04:29 Possessions consume our time 04:36 Detachment removes distractions 04:52 Availability and obedience 05:11 The hot-air balloon analogy 05:36 Casting off the ballast of created things 06:00 Nine signs of poverty of spirit 06:16 1. Feeling that we possess too much 06:49 2. Believing nothing is owed to us 07:11 3. Choosing what is common and ordinary 07:30 4. Remembering those who are in need 08:03 5. Making do with what is available 08:24 6. Serving without seeking compensation 08:41 7. Recognizing another’s needs 08:57 8. Trusting in God’s providence 09:26 9. Joyfully needing nothing 09:48 Possessing everything in Christ #HolyPoverty #SaintThomasOfVillanova #CatholicSermon #PoorInSpirit #CatholicSpirituality To comment please visit http://www.reginaprophetarum.org & please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Money & Stewardship