After much prayer and reflection, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Augustinian Friars of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova have reelected Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., to a second four-year term as prior provincial. We are grateful for the experience and willingness of our brother to serve in this critical position of leadership for our Province.
“It has been an honor to represent you and our Province of St. Thomas of Villanova over these last four years,” says Fr. Rob. “Our collective call to witness to our Augustinian values of truth, unity, and love is needed more than ever, and I continue to be inspired by the many creative and committed ways you all serve as instruments of God’s grace in our world. It is with great humility that I accept the results of this recent election, and I look forward to working with all of you as we share Christ’s light and love to all those living in darkness. Be assured of my prayers for each of you and your intentions and know that I am grateful for and count on yours as well.
“Our Augustinian brother, Pope Leo XIV, encourages us all when he says: ‘God will surprise you, and when that happens be ready to offer a generous response.’ May the Lord provide us all the grace to go where God leads us.”
At this time we give thanks to God for our dedicated and committed servant leader, Fr. Rob, and offer prayers for wisdom, strength, and grace as he continues to exercise this important responsibility on behalf of our Order.
About Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A.
A native of Drexel Hill, Pa., Fr. Rob attended Cardinal O’Hara High School before going to Villanova University. After graduating from Villanova in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Fr. Rob went on to earn a J.D. from Widener University School of Law in 1990.
He then spent seven years as an attorney with Gillin and Associates, where from 1990-97 he served as Criminal Defense Counsel in addition to handling contract negotiations, arbitrations, and mediations. He also served as counsel to the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority and the Delaware County Register of Wills. Fr. Rob is a past member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association and the Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Fr. Rob professed solemn vows to the Order of St. Augustine in 1999 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2003, at which time he joined Villanova University as the assistant athletic director for compliance and was eventually promoted to senior associate athletic director. In this role he oversaw all aspects of Student-Athlete Welfare, which included oversight of the sports medicine and strength & conditioning departments.
While at Villanova, Fr. Rob also serves as the team chaplain for the football and men’s basketball programs. Along with his accomplishments in the athletics sector, he served as a prison chaplain at the Chester State Correctional Institution. Additionally, Fr. Rob currently serves as weekend assistant at St. Paul’s Parish in South Philadelphia.
