St. Thomas of Villanova, Bishop & Confessor & St Maurice (21 September) ~ Dom Prosper Guéranger

About this sermon

On September 22, the Church honors St. Thomas of Villanova, Bishop and Confessor, and commemorates St. Maurice and the martyrs of the Theban Legion. Born in Spain in 1488, St. Thomas displayed extraordinary charity from childhood, even giving away his own clothing to the poor. After becoming a distinguished professor, he entered the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine and excelled in humility, prayer, learning, and apostolic zeal. As Archbishop of Valencia, he remained poor so that the needy might be helped, distributing the Church’s revenues so generously that even the bed upon which he died had been loaned to him. This reading also honors St. Maurice, Exuperius, Candidus, Victor, Innocent, Vitalis, and their companions of the Theban Legion. These Christian soldiers refused to violate their baptismal promises, declaring that they were soldiers of the emperor—but servants of God first. They accepted martyrdom rather than place an earthly command above Christ. May St. Thomas teach us generous charity, and may St. Maurice and his companions obtain for us courage and fidelity under persecution. 0:00 St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Maurice 0:21 The Augustinian Order and Luther’s revolt 1:33 Childhood and charity of St. Thomas 2:11 Studies, theology, and religious vocation 2:49 Virtues of an Augustinian friar 3:13 Preaching and reforming religious discipline 3:44 Archbishop of Valencia 4:08 His extraordinary charity toward the poor 4:32 Miracles and canonization 5:05 Prayer to St. Thomas of Villanova 5:45 His Augustinian legacy 6:28 St. Maurice and the Theban Legion 6:52 Soldiers of Christ before earthly rulers 7:23 Closing prayer #StThomasOfVillanova #StMaurice #ThebanLegion #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicFaith #LivesOfTheSaints #September22 https://sensusfidelium.com/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/september/september-22-st-thomas-of-villanova-bishop-confessor/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴