08/27/2026
Read a special message from Augustinian Prior General, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., sent to the Brothers, Sisters and Lay people of the Order and the Augustinian Family on the Feasts of St. Monica and St. Augustine:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we approach the final days of August, when we commemorate Saint Monica and Saint Augustine, I am pleased to send you this greeting born of a thankful heart for all the blessings we have received from the celebration of these feast days over the past year.
In the course of these last twelve months, we have had the blessing of being able to meet our brother, Pope Leo XIV, and to pray with him as brothers and sisters on various occasions. His presence at the opening Mass and his participation in the 188th Ordinary General Chapter in Rome were extraordinary encounters. We are filled with joy for the many times he has drawn from the deep sea of wisdom contained in the writings and preaching of Saint Augustine and shared that wisdom with the universal Church. The June visit to the tomb of Saint Augustine in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro was certainly a highlight. During the visit, our brother reminded us that Saint Augustine does not belong exclusively to us, but belongs to the whole Church. He then went on to remind us, however, that what does belong to us is the responsibility of our mission to share Saint Augustine with the world.
In these days of celebration that we joyfully observe in our Augustinian communities, together with the people we serve in our parishes, schools, churches, and pastoral ministries, we recall this exhortation of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Let us find ways, both traditional and new and creative, to share Saint Augustine with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. When we do so, we share the message of Augustine, rooted in the Gospel values of truth, unity, and love. When we share our love for Augustine and his mother Monica, and what they mean to us in our communities and ministries, we give of ourselves and fulfill the responsibility we have as sons and daughters of Augustine.
What we share, moreover, when we share Augustine, is his love for the unity found in Christ. We are called in various ways to share our faith in Jesus Christ in our ministries. Augustine preached to his congregation these words that we must take to heart in our communities and ministries:
"Magnify the Lord along with me. Who is the speaker, who is encouraging us to join him in magnifying the Lord? My brothers and sisters, every one of us who is in the body of Christ should bend his or her efforts to encourage others to magnify the Lord with us…., Magnify the Lord along with me. I don’t want to be the only one magnifying the Lord, I don’t want to be his only lover, I don’t want to embrace him all by myself. It is not as though there will be no room for any others to put in their hands, if I am embracing him. God’s Wisdom is so wide that all souls can embrace and enjoy her. How can I make it clearer, brothers and sisters? Let this love burn in you. If the body of Christ is dear to you, if you love the unity of the Church, seize them all and bring them along to enjoy it; say to them, Magnify the Lord with me!"
(en. Ps., 33, 2, 6)
As we celebrate these feast days through gatherings, the Eucharist, and prayer, let us strive to open ourselves to discovering new ways to share the figure of Saint Augustine, Saint Monica, our Augustinian heritage, and our love for Christ and His Church. Let us discover new ways to magnify the Lord, and let us invite the members of our communities and ministries to join us in offering praise to God.
Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary, at her Visitation, proclaimed the greatness of God overflowing from her soul, may she—together with Saint Joseph—watch over and protect our Augustinian family as we give thanks to God for the blessings we receive each day and invite others to join us.
Fraternally in Christ,
Fr. Joseph L. Farrell
Prior General O.S.A.
Rome, August 26, 2026
