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Augustinian Vocations

Listening to the Lord who calls . . .

Why would you want to become an Augustinian brother or priest?              Because . . .                    God is calling you!                   The world needs you!                   You will make a difference!

Notice I didn't say six-figure salary and a fabulous 401K; these are not components of true happiness. The point of life is to be someone who makes a difference in a classroom or a hospital room, preaching in a church or listening during a retreat, working on hunger and housing issues locally at a soup kitchen, or internationally in the halls of the United Nations. You will proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and be a source of hope for those in despair. You will remind people of their inherent goodness, and that they are loved by God.

What is Religious Life?

Not everyone is called to Catholic Religious Life. But those who are will find great satisfaction when they influence someone's life for the better. After all, in the words of Frederich Buechner, vocation "is the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need." The world needs the love of God proclaimed and lived as never before.

You will have an opportunity to become part of a community of people who pray and work together, and experience true joy in doing so. The person you can become, the places you can go, the things you can do and the people you can meet will be priceless in comparison to a weekly paycheck.

"To whomever I send you, you shall go. Whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." --Jeremiah 1:7-8

Saint Augustine discovered God and ultimate satisfaction only after an empty pursuit of power, prestige, and sensuality. In the spirit of Augustine we, his followers, arrive at the same insight that he articulated:  "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." --Saint Augustine, Confessions, I,1

Listen to your heart

If you feel that you'd like to dedicate your life in prayer and service along with us, perhaps you too are called to become a follower of Augustine, a member of the Roman Catholic Order of Saint Augustine.

"If you love God, win all others to his love. Win as many as you can, exhorting, bearing up with them, praying, discussing, giving reasons, but gently, calmly; win them for love." --Saint Augustine, In Psalm 33

Listen to your heart.

Join our family.

Make a difference.

The world needs Good News. Are you up to delivering it?

Pray for Vocational Discernment

To discern if God is calling you to the Augustinians, ask God to show you the path that you should follow, then listen in the quiet of your heart for the movement of God's Spirit. This page offers a prayer for vocational discernment and other helpful resources:

       » God of My Life - An Augustinian prayer for vocational discernment

       » Find vocational discernment helps

Contact the Augustinian Vocations Director

If you would like more information about becoming an Augustinian Brother or Priest, or if you want to discuss your vocational discernment, please contact the Midwest Augustinian Vocations Director, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A

       » Click here to contact the Vocations Director

Additional Information . . .

      » Discover Augustinian Spirituality
             Learn the basic ideals of spiritual life and religious community life according to Saint Augustine

      » Who are the Augustinians?
             Find general information about the Order of Saint Augustine

      » Meet the Newest Augustinian Friar
             J. Stephon Payne, O.S.A. professes first vows in Order of St. Augustine