Augustinian Communications
Fr. Robert Hagan, O.S.A, is Officially the New ...

Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., who was installed on June 13, 2022, as the new Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova!

Fr. Robert Hagan, O.S.A, is Officially the New Prior Provincial

Renovations Underway on Chapel in Austin Hall to Give it a New Look

There are more renovations moving forward on Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel on the second floor of Austin Hall, beginning with new windows and including installation of a pipe organ.

There are more renovations moving forward on Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel on the second floor of Austin Hall, beginning with new windows and including installation of a pipe organ.

There are more renovations moving forward on Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel on the second floor of Austin Hall, beginning with new windows and including installation of a pipe organ.

When the chapel renovations are completed, the space will be available to use for secular and religious activities, said the Rev. Ray Dlugos, O.S.A.

“The first thing that had to happen was for the windows to be replaced because they were falling out of their frames and were cracked,” Fr. Ray said.

Read more at Marrimack College.

Alfred J. Ellis, O.S.A., December 8, 1933—April 4, 2019

Father Alfred J. Ellis, O.S.A. was born on December 8, 1933, in Carthage, New York, the son of Toufee Ellis and Angèle Hobieche. He had three brothers, one of whom is Kail C. Ellis, O.S.A. of our Province, and two sisters. He was baptized in Saint James the Minor Church, Carthage, New York, and his elementary and high School education was at the Augustinian Academy, Carthage. Al entered the Order as a novice in 1954 and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1955. He then went to Villanova University where he received a BA in Philosophy in 1959. He professed Solemn Vows on September 10, 1958. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, and received an MA in Religious Education in 1963. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 9, 1963, at the Saint James the Minor Parish, Carthage, by Bishop Stanislaus Brzana.

Lent: Week 4

Lent: Week 4

In a sermon to his people in the fifth century Augustine said:

We are now travelers on a journey. We cannot stay in this place forever. We are on our way, not yet home. Our present state is one of hopeful anticipation, not yet unending enjoyment. We must run without laziness or respite so that we may at last arrive at our destination.
Sermon 103, 1

Some 1500 years later when I was chaplain at a small New England College I gave a sermon that began this way:

“Today the doctors told me that I am going to die.”

Lent: Week 3

Three of the four gospel writers tell the story of the first time human beings were called to ascend a mountain to see the transfigured Jesus-God. Matthew gives the following description of the event: Six days after his first prediction of his passion and death, Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as snow. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking together with him. Then Peter addressed Jesus, saying, “Lord it is good for us to be here!” Matt 17:1-4

Letter to the Order of Saint Augustine Regarding the Prevention of Abuse and the Protection of Minors

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The theme of the abuse of minors is an enormous tragedy and a tremendous scandal. It is even more tragic when it occurs within the Church. These actions confront us and hurt us deeply, while asking for courageous answers. Abuse calls for the demand of justice. … The Order of Saint Augustine wants to express it support for the steps made especially by Popes Benedict XVI and Francis. We wish always to live in communion with the Church in such a way that all of us work together to banish this abominable sin. … I would like us, as members of the Order of Saint Augustine, to commit ourselves to work decisively to defend the lives of the vulnerable in the face of unscrupulous abusers who take away their dignity.