We have received word that Fr. Charles Bodden, OSA, a friar of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Chicago, suffered a fatal heart attack on December 16, 2011, while at our monastery in Lima, Peru. Fr. Bodden was 61 years old and had spent decades serving in many of the missions in Peru. He was responsble for overseeng the construction of many of the mission buildings. After a Mass of Christian Burial in San Jose Obrero, Chulucana, Peru, Fr. Bodden was buried in the land which he loved ... [More]

December 15, 2011, saw flights arriving from Peru and South Africa bearing the Augustinian Volunteers who have seved in our missions in Peru and South Africa for the past year. Three returned from South Africa and four from Peru. They spent the weekend on retreat reflecting on their experiences. On Saturday evening they joined the parish community of St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova, PA, at the parish evening liturgy where they were recognized for their service with the Augustinian Friars serv... [More]

A goal of any missionary group is to put itself out of business. This is done by dedicated work for many years in establishing in the mission territory native leaders in the local Church and the Order. In the 25th year of the Vicariate, the American friars can look with great satisfaction to witness this goal: native Peruvian friars in leadership roles as the Vicar, as pastors in our parishes and as priors in our Augustinian Communities. Of the 24 friars of the Vicariate in solemn vows, 18 are n... [More]