Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova

06/19/2026

Ad multos annos, Holy Father!

Today we celebrate and congratulate Pope Leo XIV on the 44th anniversary of his priestly ordination. His decades of faithful service to the Church—as a missionary, pastor, bishop, and now as Successor of St. Peter—continue to inspire us all.

May the Lord, who first called you to serve His people, continue to bless you with strength, wisdom, and peace as you shepherd the Church in love and truth.

Thank you for your enduring witness to the Gospel.

Photo 1: Pope Leo at Our Mother Of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, Pa. in 2017
Photo 2: Pope Leo on the day of his ordination
Photo 3: Pope Leo, as pope in 2025

06/16/2026

Congratulations to Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., who yesterday was reinstalled as prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova! Installed for his first term four years ago, this time the installation was presided over by his longtime friend, Prior General Fr. Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A. Congratulations as well to the new and returning members of the Provincial Council!

06/16/2026

Wishing a very happy birthday to the Most Reverend Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia! Thank you for being a friend to the Augustinians!

06/14/2026

Two years ago today, Servant of God Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A. was reinterred in Saint Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University. Today, Fr. Bill’s sarcophagus frequently receives visits from fellow Augustinian brothers, students, and lay people alike, praying for his intercession and seeking comfort in his company.

Fr. Bill was always known as a great listener. Today, considering asking for Fr. Bill's intercession for something you're struggling with:

Blessed are you,
Father of life, source of goodness and peace,
in whom all creation has its origin
and by whom every person is loved.

In Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A.
your mercy and compassion were made manifest
as he brought solace to the suffering
and hope to the needy.

By carrying the cross of life faithfully
he proclaimed confidence in your love
conformity to your will,
and so drew others to you
and to the generous gift of your grace.

Hear our prayers
which we offer through his intercession
so that as your work continues to unfold among us
it may bring honor to you,
comfort to your people
and, according to your will, glory to your servant.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

06/12/2026

There are some individuals of selfless heart who find little satisfaction in life unless they give of themselves continually and without reservation.

Saint John was one such person who repeatedly divested himself of honors and privileges in order to gain the inheritance of eternal happiness. In doing so, he enriched the lives of others by his word and example as well.

John González was born in 1430 of a well-to-do family in Sahagún de Campos, Spain. He studied under the Benedictines in his native city, showing great promise. In 1454 he was ordained priest by the bishop of Burgos and held the office of chaplain at the church of Saint Gadea.

When his bishop died in 1456, John resigned as chaplain and moved to Salamanca to pursue further studies in canon law and theology, obtaining degrees in both. He was named preacher of the city of Salamanca and a member of the University College of Saint Bartholomew. As preacher, he drew large crowds due to his clarity, eloquence and sincerity, while also incurring opposition and criticism for his denunciation of the sins of both nobles and commoners.

On June 18, 1463, John renounced all his offices in order to join the Augustinian Order in Salamanca. He was professed the following year on August 28, and thereafter continued his preaching ministry while exercising various responsibilities in the Order as prior and delegate to various provincial chapters. Because of his renown in the city he became a principle agent of reconciliation between rival groups, thus bring peace to Salamanca. He was also respected as a defender of the rights of workers and the common folk. Characteristic of his personal life was his great devotion to the Eucharist, his humility and simplicity.

John died on June 11, 1479 at the age of 49, was beatified in 1601 and canonized in 1691 by Innocent XII. It was thought by some of his contemporaries that he had actually been poisoned in retaliation for his condemnation of the immoral lifestyle of a public figure. His remains are venerated in the cathedral of Salamanca where he is honored as patron of both the city and the diocese.

Saint John’s life bears witness to the necessity of being attentive always to the call of God and generous in responding, regardless of where the summons might lead. There can be no limits placed on one’s availability when a person experiences within the force of God’s love – whether in one’s state of life or in the carrying out of one’s responsibilities even at a high price.

06/08/2026

06/07/2026

"What you see is the bread and the chalice . . . But what your faith obliges you to accept is that the bread is the Body of Christ and the chalice the Blood of Christ." - St. Augustine

A Prayer for the Feast of Corpus Christi:
Oh Lord Jesus Christ,
we come before You today,
we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Body and Blood
through which we get strengthened
body, soul and mind.
We solemnly pledge that we will offer
You our undivided love
and also service to our brothers and sisters
as it is Your Holy will.
We pray this in the
Name of the Father,
and the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

06/05/2026

"Our lives spin on down the river. There will be some good times and some bad times. But at least, now, believing in the Eucharist and receiving the Eucharist, we don’t seem to be as hungry as we were before."

Read this week's homily at https://augustinian.org/corpus-christi-yr-a/

06/05/2026

On World Environment Day, we remember and honor the legacy of Pope Francis, whose prophetic voice for the care of our common home continues to inspire people of faith around the globe. It was in November 2021 that the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova formally joined the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, an initiative championed by Pope Francis and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Pope Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of his predecessor, asking us: "God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters - what will be our answer, my dear friends?"

06/04/2026

The life of Blessed James of Viterbo, whom we commemorate today, reminds us of the importance of placing our gifts at the service of others. In this way we find, as he did, the path that leads to our own personal growth and holiness, while at the same time bringing enrichment to others.

Thought by some historians to be a descendant of the noble Capocci family, James was born in Viterbo, Italy, around 1255. He joined the Augustinians in 1272. After several years in Italy exercising various responsibilities in the Order, he returned to Paris for additional studies. He obtained his doctorate there in 1293 and, with the election of his former professor, Giles, to the office of Prior General, served as regent of studies until 1299. He then was assigned to Naples, Italy, where he taught and served again as regent. James was named Archbishop of Benevento by Boniface VIII in September, 1302 and the following December was transferred to the Archdiocese of Naples.

During his tenure the cathedral of Naples was constructed. His single most important theological work, De regimine cristiano, is considered the first systematic treatise on the Church. James died in Naples at the end of 1307 or the beginning of 1308, known for his great love for the Church and the teachings of Saint Augustine. Pius X confirmed his cult in 1911.

Blessed James, pray for us!

Learn more: http://ow.ly/p95k50Ji3J8