The Diocese of Córdoba, in Spain, has inaugurated the Jubilee Year of St. John of Ávila. It is on the 450th anniversary of his death and will be celebrated until May 31, 2020.
Card. Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernandez, traveled to Montilla, the site of his tomb.
The mayor of the city guided them through the places associated with St. John of Avila and a Mass was celebrated in the basilica.
He is known as the “Apostle of Andalusia.” This year also marks 150 years since his beatification and 50 years since his canonization.
The Diocese of Cordoba wants the jubilee year to address both practicing Catholics and those who are distant from the faith to return.
St. John of Avila dedicated his life to formation and evangelization. He visited hundreds of villages in the area, founded seminaries, schools and even the University of Baeza. He spent the last years of his life in Montilla, where his tomb is venerated in the Basilica of the Incarnation.
