National Catholic Register Shares the Life and Cause of Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A.
Servant of God Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., is in the news! On Monday, November 9, the National Catholic Register shared a feature article about Fr. Bill’s life and Cause. Staff writer Gigi Duncan spoke to Prior Provincial Fr. Robert Hagan, O.S.A.; Christine Wilmerding, director of the Frs. Atkinson and McKniff, O.S.A., Guild; Fr. Bill’s sister, […]
National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia Welcomes New Director
After an extensive search, we are pleased to introduce you to the new executive director of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia! Guilherme “Gui” Lopes has spent more than ten years helping people and Catholic communities grow in faith, leadership, and service, and he looks forward to sharing these talents with the Shrine […]
Episode of EWTN’s They Might Be Saints About Servant of God Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., Premieres
On the twentieth anniversary of the passing of Servant of God Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., EWTN premiered an episode of their popular series They Might Be Saints focused on Fr. Bill’s extraordinary life. The series’ host, Michael O’Neill, examines the lives of men and women of faith on the path to sainthood and the search for […]
Villanova University’s Mother Cabrini Institute Sponsors Immigration Symposium in the Canary Islands to Coincide with Pope Leo’s Visit
By Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. In his recent encyclical Pope Leo commented: “A litmus test for social justice today is the treatment of migrants, refugees and those forced to move due to poverty, violence, climate change and environmental disasters. The way a society treats them reveals whether its sense of justice is driven by fear […]
Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., Reelected Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova
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 […]
Music from Sanctuary Now Available on Streaming Services
Fr. Shawn Tracy, O.S.A.’s albums with his group Sanctuary were recently added to major digital music streaming services with the help of Dan Mason, Fr. Tracy’s longtime musical collaborator. Sanctuary was formed in 1995 after Fr. Tracy stepped down from the post of campus ministry director at Villanova University to devote more time to music, […]
Villanova Students Support A.D.R.O.P. on MLK Day of Service
By John Green, Executive Director of A.D.R.O.P. On Monday, January 19th, 2026, students from Villanova University came to ADROP in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. They were doing service to mark his legacy, something ADROP has benefited from for many years. I had requested 10 students, but 20 showed up since the weather was […]
35th Anniversary of the Founding of the Formation House in Peru
By Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. The Augustinian formation house in Trujillo, Peru, named after St. Thomas of Villanova, marked its 35th anniversary during the Augustinian Vicariate’s annual assembly. The house’s construction and opening were supervised by the present Pope Leo, so this anniversary provided an opportunity to share memories about living with him as the […]
New “Leo from Chicago” Documentery
We are pleased to share a new documentary created by Vatican Media about the roots of Robert Francis Prevost in his native United States. Partially filmed at the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and Villanova University, it follows an itinerary that begins with Pope Leo’s childhood in Dolton, through the memories of his brothers […]
Statement of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez on the Election of Reverend Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., as Prior General of the Worldwide Augustinian Order
Read the statement on the website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Members of the Augustinian General Chapter in Rome elected Reverend Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., as the next Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine. The election took place in Rome on September 9, 2025. Pope Leo XIV served in this leadership role from 2001 […]