On Totus Tuus page today: "St. Thomas of Villanova (1488–1555), the humble Augustinian friar who became Archbishop of Valencia, earned the beautiful title “Father of the Poor” through a lifetime of radical generosity. Born in Spain to a modest but pious family, he studied at prestigious universities, joined the Augustinians, and rose to high office, yet he never forgot the suffering around him. During a devastating famine in Valencia, Thomas emptied the diocesan granaries to feed the starving. He welcomed orphans into his palace, turned episcopal funds into direct aid for widows and the sick, and personally cared for the most abandoned. His helpers grew anxious: the barns were nearly bare, the stores exhausted from constant giving. “There is nothing left,” they warned him. But Thomas, with unshakable trust in God's providence, refused to turn anyone away. On day a desperate widow with hungry children came to Thomas and begged for even a single bushel of corn. Thomas instructed his aides to give what they could. When they checked the granary again, it was miraculously filled to the brim — overflowing with grain that hadn't been there moments before! Through his prayer and intercession, God multiplied the little that remained so the poor could continue to be fed. This miracle echoes the Gospel story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes (John 6), reminding us that when we give generously — even from our poverty — God can multiply our efforts beyond imagination. St. Thomas lived this truth: true charity isn't measured by what we have, but by how fully we trust and share what God has entrusted to us. He once said: “If you want to be rich, love the poor; if you want to be poor, love riches.” His life challenges us today: In a world of scarcity thinking, how can we imitate his bold faith and open-handed love? St. Thomas of Villanova, pray for us — teach us to give without counting the cost, trusting that God will always provide."
