Congratulations to 4 New Augustinian Brothers!
VILLANOVA, PA - We are proud to welcome the four newest professed Augustinians: (front row, from left) Bro. Carlos Miguel Rodríguez, OSA; Bro. Jack Tierney, OSA; Bro. Jimmy White, OSA; and Bro Javier Aguilar, OSA. Principal concelebrants of the event: (back row, from left) Very Rev. Kevin C. Mullins, O.S.A.; Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A.; Very Rev. Joseph Farrell, O.S.A.; and Very Rev. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A.
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to the Augustinian Order!
On August 1, four young men professed their first vows as Augustinians, bringing each of them closer on their journey toward knowing God. Brothers Carlos Miguel Rodríguez, O.S.A.; Jack Tierney, O.S.A.; Jimmy White, O.S.A.; and Javier Aguilar, O.S.A., all spent the past year together as Augustinian Novices at St. Rita Parish in Racine, Wisconsin. They will now continue their theological studies at Catholic Theological Union while living in community at St. Augustine Friary in Chicago.
The Vicar General of the worldwide Augustinian Order, the Very Rev. Joseph Farrell, O.S.A., presided the Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Principal concelebrants included the Very Rev. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A. (Prior Provincial of the East Coast Province of St. Thomas of Villanova); the Very Rev. Kevin Mullins, O.S.A. (Prior Provincial of the West Coast Province of St. Augustine); and the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A. (Prior Provincial of our province, the Midwest Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel).
When a man professes vows as an Augustinian, he typically no longer wears the white habit that is reserved for Novices. Instead, the man will wear a black habit as a newly professed Augustinian friar. During the Mass, Fr. DiGregorio had mentioned that there are now "four empty white habits." Those attending the Mass chuckled, but the point was made that we should continue to promote vocations to the Augustinian Order.
Who Will Fill These Empty Habits?
VILLANOVA, PA - These are eight of the 12 men that will become the new 2015-2016 class of Novices
Next year, twelve men will be filling new white habits as Augustinians (see picture above)! In fact, Fr. Scianna recently remarked that the Augustinians have recruited more vocations across the United States than they have since at least the 1970s! All 41 men in Augustinian formation attended the celebration on August 1.
A Celebration of Consecrated Life!
Friars took the opportunity to also celebrate this Year of Consecrated Life. Throughout the weekend, visitors participated in vocations presentations, watched videos on the history of the Augustinians, and engaged with friars in many other meaningful activities regarding consecrated life.
VILLANOVA, PA - The men in Augustinian formation attended the August 1 festivities. The Augustinians presently have 41 men in formation!
We want to thank everyone who has continued to pray for vocations to the Augustinian Order! More young men are entering the formation process when they ask questions of the friars in our schools and parishes. Many others are discovering the Augustinians by finding us online. Either way, we feel blessed by the Holy Spirit to have this renewed inspiring sign of vocations! We are equally thankful to those who contribute to support the formation and vocations work of the Augustinians. We simply cannot do it without you!
