John of Avila, declared as Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, was a diocesan priest, friend of the first Jesuits, founder of schools and universities, tireless evangelizer, creator of a profound priestly spirituality and teacher and example of many saints (St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. John of God, St. Francis of Borgia…). He had a great influence on the Council of Trent, particularly in the decree on priestly formation and the erection of seminaries.
This seminar seeks to introduce the spirituality of this saint through the reading of selected passages from his works. Topics such as the nature of the priesthood, its mission and functions, spiritual and vocational discernment, the need for seminaries, the spirituality of the diocesan priest, Mary in the life of the priest, aspects of the Second Vatican Council of which Avila was a forerunner, etc., will be explored.