We would like to share with you some news of your interest about the current news in the Order during the month of June
"Hope for the future" after the Chapter in Germany
The Provincial Chapter in Germany was held in Würzburg from 29th-31st May. Fr Lukas Schmidkunz was confirmed by the Prior General, Fr Alejandro Moral Antón, for a second term as Prior Provincial, and at the same time the new members of the Provincial Council were elected.
The main topic discussed during the Chapter, as Fr Ian Wilson, General Councillor for Northern Europe recounts, was the formation document that each Chapter participant had previously received. After a long and heartfelt debate, the document was approved by the Chapter members.
According to Fr Wilson, the moments of community prayer and eucharistic celebration took place "in the splendid church of the Augustinian friars in Würzburg ."
He further commented that “these have been very fruitful days. We must wholeheartedly celebrate this Chapter because it leaves us with a spirit of hope for the future."
Polish Province celebrates its Intermediate Chapter
The Intermediate Chapter of the Polish Province was held from 26th-29th June. On the first day, the friars participated in Holy Mass in Radomyśl nad Sanem, where there is a shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. We are told by Fr Piotr Lamprecht OSA, Provincial Secretary, that the cult of Our Lady of Consolation was started in the area by Augustinians in the 17th century, and maintained until the friars were forced to leave as a result of the dissolution of the Order in the Russian partition at the end of the 18th century.
The Assistant General for Northern Europe, Fr Ian Wilson, participated in the ICC
California Provincial Chapter considers establishing a mission in Pakistan
The Province of St. Augustine in California (USA) met for the second part of the Ordinary Provincial Chapter from June 12-16 2023. The Prior General, Alejandro Moral Antón, OSA presided at the Chapter which was held on the campus of Villanova Preparatory High School in Ojai, California (USA).
The 32 voting members of the Chapter along with the members in initial formation spent time presenting the work of the chapter commissions that were established at the conclusion of the first part of the Chapter in January 2023. Along with the commission presentations, friars were given the opportunity to offer reflections on topics such as Personal Prayer, sacramental follow-up, spiritual reading, parish ministry, working with young people, social media and communications, etc. Among the proposals, the members of the chapter approved an exploratory three-month live in experience in Pakistan to discern the possibility of establishing a mission. The week included time for prayer, socializing and a recognition of the jubilarians who celebrate special anniversaries this year.