Are you curious about how St. Augustine might have reacted to many of the major social justice issues of today? Join the Office of Justice and Peace for the first in a series titled: Augustine and Catholic Social Teaching. Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A. will give the first presentation and the entire program will be offered electronically, meaning that anyone with a computer and an internet connection can attend. So form a group of fellow parishioners or friends and join us!
Justice & Peace
You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic. 6:8)
John E. Deegan, O.S.A.
Director of the Justice and Peace Office, Founder of A.D.R.O.P
In addition to the teaching apostolate, Augustinians are engaged in several specialized ministries with particular focus on issues involving justice, peace and the poor in our society.
The Justice and Peace Office for the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, under the Direction of Jack Deegan, O.S.A., is committed to an ongoing program of education and encouragement of the people we Augustinians serve in our various ministries. To paraphrase Saint Augustine, true leaders walk alongside their people, sharing their journey and experiences as they accompany them.
Our Ministries:
A.D.R.O.P.
Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor
Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (ADROP) is about building bridges - bridges between people, communities, social service organizations, health care providers, politicians and others, in order to build community. Ministries under ADROP include:
Educational Programs – An afterschool program, which offers tutoring two days a week at St. Anthony of Padua school in South Philadelphia.
Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) – A program founded to offer people with physical disabilities an opportunity to come together in community to pray, reflect and celebrate their life with God.
Restorative Justice/Adeodatus Prison Ministry – This ministry endeavors to foster the awareness of Christ in the lives of those on both sides of the prison walls. The Adeodatus Spiritual Support Group is for ex-inmates and their families.
Mary, Mother of Captives - This ministry provides a support group for families of prisoners
Sanctuary – Sanctuary is an ensemble of musicians and artists in the Catholic and Augustinian spiritual tradition, dedicated to fostering liturgical music. Founded and directed by Shawn Tracy, O.S.A. (1940-2014) and Dan Mason.
Unity Clinic – ADROP’s Unity Clinic is a primary care clinic for the uninsured and underinsured of Philadelphia.
DPI - NGO
In Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Augustinian Order is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O.) at the United Nations. The Augustinian presence at the U.N. is an instrument for implementing values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the international forum. The Order seeks to defend human rights, promote education and literacy, as well as economic and social development, and to foster a Culture of Peace, in accord with traditional Catholic social teaching.
One of the initiatives of the Augustinian Order NGO is participation in the Culture of Peace Program and the Associate Schools Project Network. Read more about it - and get involved:
UNESCO's Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) is a global network of some 7900 educational institutions in 176 countries (ranging from pre-schools and primary to secondary schools and teacher training institutions), who work in support of quality education in practice. Get your school involved today!
NGO News & Newsletters
For the most recent newsletters and other news on the International Order's NGO at the UN, visit the website Augustinians International.
Links for Justice and Peace
Amnesty International - Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. In particular, Amnesty International campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and "disappearances"; and oppose human rights abuses by opposition groups.
A.D.R.O.P. - Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor is about building bridges - bridges between people, communities, social service organizations, health care providers, politicians and others. By building bridges throughout a community - connecting individuals across economic, political and religious spectrums - ADROP works toward a community that recognizes the dignity and respect owed to all persons.
Bread For The World - A nationwide Christian citizens movement seeking justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers.
Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking - Find out how you or your organization can participate in this public awareness initiative to combat human trafficking.
Catholic Relief Services - Catholic Relief Services sponsors a program entitled THE WORK OF HUMAN HANDS, an ecumenical partnership between CRS and SERRV International, which offers hope and self-reliance by marketing handmade products crafted by low-income men and women around the world.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement - Valuable material in the fight against human trafficking.
Fellowship of Reconciliation - Martin Luther King, Jr. resources.
Food For The Poor - Raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor; its ministers spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children they serve.
The Holy See - Link for regular updates concerning papal statements on world events.
The Hunger Site - Help to alleviate hunger by contributing a free donation of food to hungry people around the world simply by clicking on the site-no strings attached.
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
JustFaith - A program designed to empower and expand parish and church commitment to social ministry.
Micah Network - Aims to help in meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed through what they call Integral Mission, and to encourage the wider church in its God-given responsibility to demonstrate God's love for the poor.
Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation - From experience, we know that revenge is not the answer. The answer lies in reducing violence, not causing more death. It is time we break the cycle of violence. To those who say society must take a life for a life, we say: "not in our name."
Network - A National Catholic social justice lobby with information and updates on federal legislation.
Oxfam America - Committed to creating lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice.
Pax Christi USA - Pax Christi USA is the national Catholic peace movement of 14,000 members who are committed to the gospel imperative of seeking peace through nonviolence.
Sant’Egidio - A community of peacemakers and social justice advocates, especially concerning the abolition of the death penalty.
Sojourners - Sojourners is a Christian ministry whose mission is to proclaim and practice the biblical call to integrate spiritual renewal and social justice.
Teaching Tolerance - A principal online destination for people interested in dismantling bigotry and creating, in hate's stead, communities that value diversity.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Get the latest statements of the U.S. bishops.
