At Rieti there was a young religious named John. He was simple, humble, always happy. He followed the same lifestyple as his fellow friars insofar as concerns both food and drink. However, he had a particular character. He loved very much the other friars; he lived with them in a charitable manner, never uttering words or doing anything contrary to the rules of love for our neighbour. He treated everybody […]
Blessed John of Rieti – 2nd August Read More »
What we know regarding Veronica is that she was born in 1445 in Binasco, in the province of Milan, within a family of farmers and that she was God fearing. However, her mother was so poor that she was unable to give her even a little schooling. At 22 years of age “after many requests she managed to wear the habit of St. Augustine” as a lay member of the
Blessed Veronica Negroni from Binasco – 13th January Read More »
St. Nicholas, who always appears with a star on his chest and was born in Sant’ Anġlu at Pontano and lived for thirty years at Tolentino, is considered to be the first and most prominent saint of the Augustinian Order. In 1256, the ‘Grand Union’ year, Nicholas was eleven years old and, soon after, was attracted to religious life. His holiness was built on a hard life, ceaseless prayer, voluntary
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino – 10th September Read More »
In one of his treaties St. Augustine, an expert on both nature and the human being, exclaimed: “Return to your heart! Where do you want to go? If you go far away you will be lost. Why do you wander in the desert? Come back from your wandering that has made you go astray; come back to the Lord. You who have become an alien to yourself because of your
Blessed Angelo from Foligno – 6th September Read More »
Christina was named Mattia Ciccarelli. She was the daughter of Domenico and Maria di Pericolo at Colle dei Lucoli (Aquila) and was born on 24 February 1480, the last of six children. From an early age she was full of the virtues of obedience, humility, serenity and she was totally dedicated to prayer to which she devoted the entire day in a corner of the family home in front
Blessed Christina from Aquila – 18th January Read More »
He was born in 1486 at Fuenllana (Ciudad Real, Spain), As a young child he lived with his parents in a city close to Villanueva de los Infantes. His parents worked a number of fields and, although they were not rich, they raised their family in a way that the children could receive a good education. Thomas started his studies there and, from an early stage, he showed indications of
Saint Thomas of Villanova -10th October Read More »
During the thirties in the twentieth century, the Church in Spain went through a period of great martydom, when the civil authorities started a systematic persecution that lasted three years and during which time a great number of Christians were killed: laity, religious, priests and bishops. Brethren of the Augustinian family, in these difficult circumstances, also showed great strength of their faith in the face of such harsh persecution, at
Blessed Josephine of the Purification – 22nd September Read More »
He was born in Furci (Abruzzo) in 1246, a son of wealthy parents who could not have children. According to the tradition as recounted in the story of his life, he was born through the intercession of St. Muchael the Archangel after his parents went on a pilgrimage to his sanctuary near Gargano. At his baptism he was given the name Angelo which he retained even when he became a
Blessed Angelo from Furci – 4th February Read More »
The Augustinians arrived in Japan towards the beginning of the XVII century and they immediately got down to strong evangelisation amongst the local people. A good number of these were drawn towards the spirituality and devotions of the Augustinian family and, as was the case in the Europeann and American continents, they decided to join the Order as laity, spiritually and legally. This union was fulfilled mainly through two
Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki – 29th October Read More »
Today we honor the memory of two friars who were associated by their work for the good of the Augustinian Order at its origins, but also by their love for the interior life of prayer and contemplation. They both served the Order as Prior General and were instrumental in directing and stabilizing the Order shortly after its birth. At the same time, they excelled in the virtue of humility and
Blessed Clement from Osimo – 19th May Read More »
