CAPILLA, ANDRÉS. - Spanish Carthusian, ascetical writer. B. at Valenza in 1529, d. at Urgel on 22 Sept. 1609. Having entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 15, he taught theology at Valenza, then at the Collegio Romano. After various unsuccessful attempts, he obtained from St. Pio V permission to withdraw among the Carthusians (Scala Dei near Tarragona, 1569). He was prior in various charterhouses of Italy and Spain, and in 1587 was consecrated bishop of Urgel. As an ascetical writer he is of considerable importance; he was praised by St. Francesco di Sales.
His principal works, which had many versions and reprints: Libro de la oración en que se ponen consideraciones sobre los Evangelios de todos los domingos del año y algunas fiestas principales, Lerida 1572; Manual de ejercicios espirituales, ibid. 1576; Libro segundo de la oración... consideraciones de todas las ferias de cuaresma, Saragozza 1577; Libro tercero... consideraciones de los Evangelios de algunas fiestas principales de los santos, Salamanca 1580; this is his masterpiece and was translated into Latin, Italian, and French. It was the first to propose as subjects for meditation the Gospel texts of the Proper of the liturgical seasons and of the saints. With his Commentaria in Ieremium prophetam (Charterhouse of Scala dei 1586), C. reveals himself as a learned exegete.