St Augustine Priory

10/24/2026

October 24 | Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret. Born in Sallent, Spain, in 1807, Anthony Mary Claret began his career as a weaver before discerning a call to the priesthood. Ordained in 1835, he became a fervent missionary, traveling tirelessly across Catalonia and the Canary Islands to preach the Gospel. He utilized printed literature extensively to spread Christian teachings and founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly known as the Claretians, to ensure the continuation of his apostolic work.

Appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba in 1850, Claret zealously promoted pastoral renewal, fought against racial discrimination, and defended the rights of the enslaved, surviving numerous assassination attempts for his reforms. In 1857, Queen Isabella II recalled him to Spain as her personal confessor. Forced into exile during the 1868 Spanish Revolution, he attended the First Vatican Council before dying peacefully in a French Cistercian monastery in 1870. His feast day is celebrated on October 24.

10/23/2026

10/22/2026

October 22 | Feast of St. John Paul II. Born Karol Józef Wojtyła, in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920. Surviving N**i occupation and communist oppression, he was ordained a priest in 1946 and elected pope in 1978—the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. His 26-year papacy transformed global history; he championed human rights, helped dismantle Soviet communism, visited 129 countries, and founded World Youth Day. Canonized in 2014, his legacy of reconciliation and devotion endures, and his feast is celebrated today, October 22.

Known as the ‘Pilgrim Pope,’ John Paul visited more than 129 countries during his papacy.

St. John Paul II, pray for us!

10/20/2026

Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki: Heroine of the Faith

Today we celebrate the memory of our lay sister—a virgin and martyr—who gave her life for Christ at the age of 23. The daughter of martyrs in Japan, she consecrated herself to God as a Recollect tertiary. Following the death of her spiritual guides (Augustinian Recollect friars), she took refuge in the mountains to support and catechize persecuted Christians.

Seeking to encourage her brothers and sisters who wavered in the face of torture, she voluntarily surrendered herself, boldly proclaiming her faith. With immense courage, she endured more than 13 days of torment until the "pit" they had hanged her from her feet, filled with water from the rain and drowned her attaining the glory of martyrdom.

Happy Feast Day to the Lay Fraternity!

From our Priory, we send our warm regards and congratulations to the entire Lay Fraternity of the Order of Augustinian Recollects (FSAR). May their patroness, Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, continue to strengthen their vocation in the world.

Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, pray for us.

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

Saint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle, he was the second after Saint Peter to govern the Church of Antioch. He was condemned to the beasts in the reign of the Emperor Trajan and was taken to Rome where he was crowned with a glorious martyrdom. On the journey, while suffering the ferocity of the guards who were like leopards, he wrote seven letters to different Churches, in which he entreated the brethren to serve God in unity with the bishops, and not to impede his immolation as a victim for Christ.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, pray for us!

Happy feast day of St. Ignatius of Antioch!

10/15/2026

St. Teresa was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church.

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

10/14/2026

We will continue praying for everything that is ahead for Pope Leo’s complete recovery.

Pope Leo XIV underwent thoracic surgery at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, as planned, according to a statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora released by the Holy See Press Office.

The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung, and tissue examined during the operation confirmed the diagnosis of “lung adenocarcinoma,” as suspected from tests conducted beforehand.

The Pope was in the operating room approximately three hours, while the operation itself lasted about 90 minutes. The doctors said it was successful and there were no complications.

Pope Leo awoke normally after surgery and, following a brief period of observation, returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor, according to the statement.

10/12/2026

Today begins the Guadalupan Jubilee Year. The Holy Father has granted a plenary indulgence to whom visit the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe and participate in a liturgical celebration or spend time in devout prayer inside the Basilica praying the Our Father and the Creed. (The three conditions are: Confession, Eucharistic Communion and Prayers for the Pope's Intentions.) 🙏🩷🙏