On August 28, 2016, the Feast of Saint Augustine, Brothers Stephen Isley, O.S.A.; and Joe Ruiz, O.S.A.; solemnly professed their perpetual vows in the Augustinian Order.  Their professions took place at Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago and were presided by the Very Reverend Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D.

On July 31, 2016, eleven novices professed their first religious vows as Augustinians at Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago.  The Augustinians in North America have not had this many young men profess their vows at once in decades!

On June 10, 2016, Bishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., ordained Richie Mercado, O.S.A., to the priesthood at Saint Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago.  Congratulations, Father Richie!  Blessings to you on your new ministry!

Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., released his 2016 State of the Province Address in April.  The address includes a number of new assignments.  Check them out here.

At the 2016 Augustinian Gala in Chicago's Drake Hotel, the Augustinians honored Father Mike Slattery, O.S.A.  Father Slattery served as a pastor at St. Jude Parish - New Lenox, IL; St. Clare of Montefalco Parish - Chicago, IL; and St. Augustine - Philadelphia, PA.  This video features interviews from Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A.; Tom Slattery; Paul Crylen; Tom Brodnicki; Rosalie and Robert Gentile; Fr. Joe McCormick, O.S.A.; and Diane Faford.  This video tribute was generously sponsored by Denise & Robert Utter.

At the 2016 Augustinian Gala at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, the Augustinians honored the late Father Ted Tack, O.S.A., with a Diamond Jubilee Remembrance.  Father Tack served as the Prior General of the Augustinian Order for 12 years.  This video features interviews from G.T. Bynum; Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A.; Bob LaFortune; Mark Lauinger; and Jack Freese.  This video tribute was generously sponsored by the Susan & G.T. Bynum Family.

At the 2016 Augustinian Gala in the Drake Hotel of Chicago, the Augustinians honored Ernie Mrozek.  Ernie serves as the first lay president of Saint Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago.  This video features interviews from Brendan Conroy; Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A.; Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A.; and Don Mrozek.  This video tribute was generously sponsored by a grateful friend of Ernie.

The Very Reverend Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., was honored on April 15, 2016 as the St. Rita High School Alumni Banquet Man of the Year.  Fr. Bernie graduated from St. Rita High School and later went on to become Prior Provincial of the Midwest Augustinians.  Please enjoy the video and share with others!

The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies that happiness that’ll be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life. What we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer but now the fast is over! And we devote the present season to Praise! Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing!

These homilies were offered on March 4-5, 2016 at the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago by the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A.; and the Most Reverend Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.

On January 2, 2016, three Augustinians were ordained deacons: Carlos Medina, O.S.A.; Richie Mercado, O.S.A.; and Joseph Aloysius Murray, O.S.A. Bishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., was the Principal Celebrant of the ceremony held at St. Rita of Cascia Parish Chicago.

This video was compiled in honor of the our 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee as the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel - as well as the 90th anniversary of Cascia Hall.  We extend our sincere thanks to John LaFortune for doing such a wonderful job assembling this commemorative video!

Not too long ago, Brother Richie Mercado, O.S.A., made a lifelong commitment:  his solemn (perpetual) vows to the Augustinian Order.  He is still months away from his ordination to the priesthood, but this profession solidifies his commitment to the Augustinian Order.  He offered this speech before his profession, at the Augustinians' Celebration of Consecrated Life in Chicago.

Fr. Halstead was interviewed for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly in September, 2015.  The full interview compiled interviews with others by PBS to answer the question "Will the Catholic Church under Pope Francis be open to reform on marriage and divorce?"  Watch the extended video of the interview with Fr. Jim Halstead, O.S.A., on the PBS website.

On August 27, 2015, the Augustinians celebrated the Feasts of Saint Augustine and Saint Monica at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. The Mass also marked the Augustinian Midwest Province's 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee and the Year of Consecrated Life.

This full video includes consecrated life reflections by: the Very Rev. Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A.; Brother Jack Hibbard, O.S.A.; Brother Richie Mercado, O.S.A.; and Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. The following Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago. Principal Concelebrants include the Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon of Joliet; the Very Rev. Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., S.T.D.; the Very Rev. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A.; the Very Rev. Kevin C. Mullins, O.S.A.; and the Very Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D. During Mass, we witnessed the solemn profession of vows of Brother Richie Mercado, O.S.A. We also honored this year's Augustinians celebrating jubilees of vows: the Most Rev. John C. McNabb, O.S.A. (not present); Fr. Jerry Knies, O.S.A. (not present); Fr. Richard McGrath, O.S.A., Ph.D.; Fr. John Ohner, O.S.A.; and Brother Jerome Sysko, O.S.A.

Video Provided by: Bill Haggerty

In 2015, Brother Jerome Sysko, O.S.A., celebrates 50 years of Augustinian Vows!  Watch his tribute video here.

As the third annual gala in April 2014, we launched our year-long 75th anniversary celebration and presented a "Diamond Jubilee Remembrance" of the late Fr. Ray Ryan, O.S.A.  Watch his video tribute here.

Why do the Augustinians remember the life of a simple woman who lived over 550 years ago? She could hardly read or write. She didn’t give any great sermons. She didn’t write any great books. But we remember this Saint of the Impossible because she teaches us how to love Jesus. Jesus and the Eucharist sustained St. Rita of Cascia, and we hope that Jesus and the Eucharist sustain you.

A slideshow of some of our most memorable moments of 2014.  From our Augustinian Family to yours, Merry Christmas!