Alumni of Augustinian Academy Celebrate 50 Years of Fellowship

By Prior Provincial Fr. Tony Pizzo, O.S.A.

On October 9th, 2021, I attended the 50th reunion of the Class of ’71 of the former Augustinian Academy in St. Louis.  During my three day visit I was offered hospitality by Fr. Jack Siefert, the pastor of St. Ambrose Parish on The Hill.  It was a memorable occasion because I had the opportunity to meet the attending alumni of the Academy as well as get acquainted with the neighborhood of The Hill where I haven’t visited for over 40 years. 

The Hill produced Baseball’s Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola who grew up on the same block and got their start by playing street ball.  Today the community maintains its Italian American flair with street level commercial businesses that serve the residents with authentic cuisine and freshly baked pastries. 

Even after 50 years and only one decade (1961 – 1972) of Augustinian presence at the school, the sense of camaraderie and strong connections between the alumni of Augustinian Academy is very impressive.  I am grateful especially to Joe Torrisi, an alum of the same class, who was one of the coordinators of this event.  The hospitality of the alumni and the neighborhood around The Hill is genuine.  The gratitude that these graduates of ’71 demonstrate on behalf of their Augustinian education is authentic.  I was left with the same sense of gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate these 50 years of fraternity.

I also took the opportunity to visit the former novitiate of the Midwest Province at Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Parish (now closed).  This is one of the apostolates the Province served for several years not only contributing to the formation of many friars but also greatly contributing to the poor in the neighborhood.