“To be men of prayer, work, and charity”: with those words, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful of the Santo Tomás de Villanueva parish during a special audience in the Vatican. A moment of communion that continues to resonate in the hearts of the community of Alcalá de Henares.
An unforgettable audience
This December 29, Pope Leo XIV received in audience a group of 150 pilgrims from the Santo Tomás de Villanueva parish, of Alcalá de Henares (Spain). Although it is not an Augustinian parish or of the Augustinian Recollect family, they have much to do with our family: its holder is one of the great Augustinian saints, a reference of prayer, industriousness, and love for the poor.
From recoletos.org we spoke with Don David Calahorra, parish priest of the community, who shared with joy what he experienced with the Holy Father: “It has been a gift for the entire community. The Pope spoke to us about the example of Saint Thomas of Villanueva and highlighted three virtues: he was a man of prayer, a hardworking man, and a man dedicated to the poor. It was very enlightening for all of us who listened to him.”
A jubilee year that culminates in Rome
The visit to the Pope has been the culmination of an intense jubilee year that the parish has experienced with spiritual depth. “Each month we celebrate the so-called pilgrim masses,” explains the parish priest. “They have been spaces to renew baptismal promises and rediscover the charism of the saint. This pilgrimage was the culmination of that entire process.”
The group was made up of faithful of all ages, including many families and children. “The little ones are impressed. The youngest was six years old and took a drawing to the Pope. For them it has been an unforgettable experience,” says Don David.
A gesture of communion and tenderness
The meeting took place in the Hall of the Consistory of the Vatican. As highlighted by Vatican News, the Pope expressed his closeness to the parish for the spiritual preparation they have experienced within the framework of the Jubilee Year. He also highlighted that the city of Alcalá de Henares preserves “significant traces of the earthly passage of Saint Thomas of Villanueva.”
The Holy Father, who had previously documented himself about the community, highlighted his sensitivity towards welcoming the poorest and most needy, and encouraged the faithful to maintain a pastoral style “typical of God’s almsgiver.”
The Pope’s words
In his speech, the Pope stressed the testimony of the Augustinian saint as a current model for all:
“Saint Thomas of Villanueva was open to the action of God in his life and his availability led him to do much good to the Church and to society. His continuous prayer, his simplicity, and his apostolic zeal invite us to empty ourselves of ourselves to listen and let the Lord act.”
He also highlighted the commitment to the poor:
“I have been told that in your parish this aspect is very present. I thank you for this sensitivity, because the poor are not only someone who is helped, but the sacramental presence of the Lord.”
And he concluded with an exhortation that resonated in all hearts:
“Dear pilgrims, I encourage you to continue on the path of Christ. The testimony of the saints encourages and stimulates us on this exciting path.”
The coin of Saint Thomas and a sweet gesture
As a gift, the parish community offered the Pope a “coin of Saint Thomas”, a symbol of identity for the parish. On one side appears the face of the saint, and on the other one of his best-known phrases about charity. “We told him that we wanted him to have the first of these coins,” shared Don David. “It is not only a memory, but a commitment to the poor.”
They also gave the Pope a box of marzipan made by the Augustinian nuns of Alcalá de Henares, a gesture that was greeted with joy by the Pontiff. The bishop of the diocese, Monsignor Antonio Prieto, accompanied the delegation.
“A Pope who listens to us”
During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV surprised the faithful by showing that he knew their parish well. He had investigated it, something that deeply moved those present. “That was a precious detail for us,” says Don David. “He did not come to meet with a generic group of faithful, he came to meet with a specific parish. We felt welcomed and recognized.”
The Holy Father even said:I have been told that in your parish, in your parish, this aspect is very present in gestures and in concrete works. The bishop will be able to tell me later if that is true or not.To which Don Antonio Prieto, Bishop of Alcalá, immediately affirmed and the people laughed. It was the meeting with a Father, with a Pastor, with a Brother that the parish will treasure for life.
A model to imitate
Asked about what this experience leaves him as a pastor, Don David responds without hesitation:
“I am still digesting it, but I am left with the desire to imitate the pastor that God has given us. Leo XIV is a close, patient man who listens. I feel challenged to be like him.”
