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Who Are the Augustinians?

The Augustinians of the Midwest are members of the Order of Saint Augustine, an international Catholic religious community which was juridically founded in 1244.

We trace our spiritual roots to St. Augustine of Hippo, a fifth century Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He established a form of religious community life. The influential Rule of St. Augustine sets down his ideals and serves as a guide. Augustinians are guided today by the ideals and spirit of St. Augustine.

Our 85 friars (priests and brothers) work as active contemplatives in preaching and teaching, in spiritual direction and counseling; in parish, campus and hospital ministries; in theological research, and in the arts and sciences.  We also serve as missionaries in Peru and Japan.  We minister in high schools and universities, and are also involved in retreat work.  Where there's a need, we'll share our life as community in witness to the love of Christ.

The Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest), established in 1941, is located in the central part of the United States.

       »See the history of the Augustinians of the Midwest

Welcome . . .

Welcome to the Midwest Augustinian Web Pages. Our Province, under the patronage of Mary, Our Mother of Good Counsel, is part of the world-wide Augustinian Order that serves the Church in 50 countries in various ministries such as schools, parishes and missions. Our Augustinian Communities strive to live the Gospel Values of Truth, Unity and Love in the Spirit of Our Holy Father, St. Augustine, and to share our charism with those with whom we work and serve in order to build up the City of God.

I hope you will enjoy discovering who we are and what we do. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

Sincerely in Christ and St. Augustine,
Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A.
Prior Provincial

Our Emblem . . .

The emblem or seal of the Augustinian Order represents our Augustinian spirituality.

The flaming heart is the human heart.  It symbolizes Augustine's love of God and his fellow brothers and sisters.  The Augustinian heart is passionately alive, with the desire to know God and experience divine love in our lives.

The open book represents the Sacred Scriptures and St. Augustine's own conversion to Christianity. It symbolizes the Word of God, source of light and truth, and the quest for wisdom.

The arrow which pierces the heart represents the Spirit of God piercing our hearts, calling us to continued growth in faith, hope and love.  This is the basis of that great restlessness, so typical of St. Augustine, which led him to seek God in all things and above all things.

       »Discover Augustinian Spirituality

Our Mission . . .

After a year-long process of dialogue and prayerful discernment, the Augustinians of the Midwest (Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel) adopted a new statement of their identity and mission:

       »See the Mission Statement of the Augustinians of the Midwest

Maintaining Ethical Ministry with Minors and Adults

Augustinians of the Midwest are taking steps to ensure, as far as possible, that young people and adults are safely in our care, and to respond pastorally with compassion and understanding to any person who may have been a victim of misconduct by one of our Friars.

       »Learn about our response to misconduct

Augustinians Around the World

The Augustinians of the Midwest are a part of the world-wide Augustinian community, the Roman Catholic Order of Saint Augustine.

We are 2,845 Augustinians in 50 countries around the globe.

PROVINCE OFFICES Augustinian Province Offices 5401 S. Cornell Ave. Chicago, IL 60615-5664      To enter building, press intercom code 020 in vestibule 773-595-4000 773-595-4004 (FAX) E-mail us Formerly Located at Tolentine Center, Olympia Fields, Illinois

Get a map and directions to Augustinian Province Offices (Opens new window)

PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION Prior Provincial:      Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A. Province Council:      Michael J. Slattery, O.S.A.      Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A.      Richard J. McGrath, O.S.A.      Raymond R. Ryan, O.S.A. Vicar Provincial:      Michael J. Slattery, O.S.A. Province Treasurer:      Michael J. Slattery, O.S.A. Province Secretary:       Thomas Taylor, O.S.A.