Father Enrique Tapia, LC, takes the concepts of Saint John of Ávila to offer guidance to seminary formators and consecrated persons

Fr. Enrique Tapia, L.C., is the Rector of the Maria Mater Ecclesiae International Pontifical College, in Rome, and author of the book “Vocational discernment, keys for accompaniment according to Saint John of Ávila”, published by Monte Carmelo publishing house. In this work, Father Enrique shares the keys of discernment in the light of this Doctor of the Church. Keys that are valid today for seminary formators and consecrated persons, but also for lay people, since “John of Ávila was also a great guide and spiritual master for lay people,” the author explains to us.

Father Enrique Tapia, LC, is rector of the Maria Mater Ecclesiae International Pontifical College, created by the Legionaries of Christ in Rome to offer bishops from around the world a place where one or more of their seminarians can receive integral formation, close to the Holy Father and in a universal environment

Saint John of Ávila, born in Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, in 1499, and died in Montilla, Córdoba, in 1569, is a capital figure in the Spanish and universal Church. In fact, he is the patron of the Spanish clergy and was honored by Pope Benedict XVI with the title of Doctor of the Church. “Vocational discernment, keys for accompaniment according to Saint John of Ávila” rescues his teachings and is back in the spotlight thanks to the interest of Pope Francis and the entire Church in deepening discernment and, since we are approaching summer time, also for being the time of year when seminaries, congregations and secular institutes organize vocational discernment activities.

Cover of Fr. Tapia’s, LC, book on vocational discernment

Does a 16th-century author still have relevance today?

Yes, there are things that never go out of style, because they are true and good, and truth and goodness never go out of style. On the other hand, the Church in recent decades and Pope Francis in his Pontificate, have spoken much about discernment. John of Ávila doesn’t use this word much, but he was indeed a master of spiritual and vocational discernment.

Who is this book oriented toward? For candidates or for formators?

It is mainly oriented toward formators of seminarians and consecrated persons, spiritual directors or accompaniers (men and women), but it can also serve candidates for priesthood and consecrated life. There are formators who have read it, and seminarians, and both have told me they liked it and it helped them.

When a lay person, in these days, confronts this work, they discover in it many of the things that Vatican Council II wanted to communicate to the faithful.

What will each person find in this book?

If I tell you, you won’t read it anymore… Well, jokes aside, I think they will learn a little more about the art of spiritual and vocational discernment, and they will discover the greatness of this saint (John of Ávila) whom Benedict XVI named Doctor of the Church in 2012. He is the first diocesan priest named Doctor of the Church (and it must be said that there are not many people named Doctors of the Church).

Saint John of Ávila was thinking about priests and consecrated life, what can a lay person extract from this book?

John of Ávila was also a great guide and spiritual master for lay people. They say that King Philip II had some of his writings in his chamber and consulted them. Historian Luis Suárez wrote: “When a lay person, in these days, confronts this work (Audi, filia), they discover in it many of the things that Vatican Council II wanted to communicate to the faithful”.

Saint John of Ávila, Doctor of the Church and patron of the Spanish clergy, 16th-century author with current relevance

Can you give us advice for living our vocation well, the one to which God calls each reader, and that comes from Saint John of Ávila?

There are very good pieces of advice from this saint. For example this one: “If you want to run through God’s beautiful paths, don’t go too loaded down with earthly things; for the more you leave for God, the more He will give you of his grace; and the more grace, the more you will run; and the more you run, the more desire He will give you to leave more, so you can run more” (letter 10).

Where can this book be found?

It is published by Monte Carmelo Publishing House, in the Fonte collection (it can be accessed at this link). Additionally, it is distributed in many bookstores in Spain, at Casa del Libro and Amazon.

With information: Regnum Christi Communications Office – Spain

Cover image: Maria Mater Ecclesiae International Pontifical College Website