The Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Granada joyfully celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a solemn Eucharist presided by the Prior General of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Fr. Miguel Ángel Hernández, and the Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Fr.
The event brought together numerous religious men and women from nearby Augustinian Recollect communities, as well as a large crowd of faithful who are part of the Augustinian Recollect Secular Fraternity of the parish and other parish groups.
The ceremony was a moment full of memories and emotion, in which thanks was given to God for half a century of life of this parish community. In his homily, Fr. Miguel Ángel Hernández emphasized the profound meaning of this celebration in the Lenten season:
“The Lord invites us, as a community and personally, to pay attention to the foundations, to the pillars that support our life and our faith. Are we building on solid foundations?”
Since its foundation 50 years ago, the parish has been a beacon of light and hope in Granada. Its origins go back to the chapel of St. Thomas of Villanova School, from where it developed to 
to become the active center of faith and community that it is today. Fr. Miguel Ángel evoked the humble beginnings of the parish and the spirit of its first faithful: “They met in the homes of the parishioners, at night, not for fear of the Jews, but because it was the time when the parents returned from work. The meetings often ended in the early hours of the morning”.
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish has witnessed countless moments of spirituality and community throughout its history. It is a place where, as the Prior General mentioned in his homily, “after your home, this is the place where, like Peter in today’s Gospel, you can exclaim: How good I feel here!”. Its open and welcoming character has been one of its greatest strengths, being a spiritual refuge for anyone in need.
The fundamental role of the parish in Marian devotion and in the transmission of the Augustinian Recollect charism, which has left an indelible mark on the community, was also recalled.
“This parish has been and continues to be a profoundly Marian place…. Many people have encountered Christ by the hand of Mary thanks to the Confraternity of Our Lady of Consolation,” said Friar Miguel Ángel.
The day of celebration was also an occasion to look to the future with renewed commitment and hope. Fr. Miguel Ángel called on the community to continue building on the solid foundations of these 50 years: “As we celebrate this golden jubilee, I invite you to renew our commitment to the mission of this parish. Let us continue to work together, each one from the place, ministry or vocation to which God has called him”.
The celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the parish of St. Thomas of Villanova was, without a doubt, a living testimony of the faith and commitment of a community that, with joy and determination, continues to radiate the light of Christ in Granada. As the Prior General said: “What a beautiful proposal: to pass as pilgrims of hope, walking through this world radiating the light that we carry within us”.