Reimagining and Revitalizing the First Foundation of the Augustinians in the United States | From the Desk of Fr. Rob

Dear Friends in Christ, Fathers Matthew Carr (pictured at right) and John Rosseter, O.S.A., the first two Augustinians on American soil, responded to a call to provide spiritual direction, support, and education to Irish immigrants in the city of Philadelphia, who were discriminated against because of where they came from and their religious beliefs. Carr and Rosseter, who immigrated from Ireland themselves, were determined to stand up and proclaim the good news that we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and St. Augustine Parish was the first fruit of their ministry.

The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1796, only 20 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and it became the first foundation of the Augustinians in the United States. In 1832, it served as a hospital when an epidemic of Asiatic cholera overwhelmed Philadelphia, the Augustinians worked side by side with doctors and the Sisters of Charity to help those who were suffering.

Just twelve years later, anti-Catholic rioters burned St. Augustine’s nearly to the ground. Philadelphia’s majority-Protestant residents were increasingly wary of the waves of European Catholic immigrants coming to the city. When Philadelphia Catholics and the Church hierarchy protested the mandated study of the King James Bible – a Protestant Bible – in the public schools, this simmering anger erupted into violence.

The church we call St. Augustine’s today is the one that went up in 1848, replacing the one that burned that fateful night in 1844. It is a masterpiece of architecture and fine art. It was designed by Napoleon LeBrun, the architect of Philadelphia landmarks such as the Academy of Music and the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, with the tower designed by William Strickland, who designed the iconic tower of Independence Hall.

On the ceiling inside are some of the oldest frescos in the country. Created in 1848, they predate those under the dome of the United States Capitol Building (commonly believed to be the oldest) by almost twenty years.

Lining the walls are a series of paintings depicting scenes from the life of St. Augustine – everything from his conversion and his baptism by St. Ambrose to the death of his mother, St. Monica, and his own death in 430 AD.

St. Augustine’s was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, during the United States bicentennial celebration.

Watch Former Paster Fr. Bill Waters, O.S.A., Talk About the Paintings at St. Augustine’s.

Fathers Carr and Rosseter arrived on these shores 241 years ago, and the anti-Catholic riots are 181 years ago now. Yet, in some ways, the more things change the more they stay the same. You don’t have to watch the news for very long to understand that immigration, discrimination, and a lack of sense of belonging are still real issues for people and the cause of much fear, anxiety, and division.

As human beings we’re always wrestling with these issues. Augustine himself had his restless heart. But as Augustinians, we believe that love wins. That community is better than isolation. That hope overcomes despair. This doesn’t mean that there haven’t been setbacks, fires, pandemics, and mistakes, but the Augustinians are still here and we’re still looking forward with hope!

The Province is beginning a process to renew and revitalize St. Augustine Church. While it is still an active parish, led administratively by Fr. Paul Galetto, O.S.A. and home to a community of five friars, we think there is an opportunity to reexamine our ministries there and try to maximize the impact we can have. We look to help with some much-needed repairs to this beautiful, historic church. Any building of St. Augustine’s age will need maintenance from time to time, and we also hope to revitalize Carr Hall (the adjacent building, named for Fr. Matthew Carr, O.S.A.) to better serve the needs of the parish, its parishioners, and citizens of Philadelphia.

We are serious about preserving the parish, and we are committing our greatest resource – Augustinian Friars and friends – to this apostolate. How can our charism come alive and speak about what is needed in society today? How can we continue to support those on the margins, following the example of Frs. Carr and Rosseter in 1796? How can we continue to educate those in need? How can we continue to show that love overcomes hate and discrimination? We are on the cusp of celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary next year – what should St. Augustine’s look like for the next 250 years of this nation? A working group has been created to tackle these questions and many others in our pursuit to reimagine St. Augustine’s.

Look at what our parish and church have endured during the Province’s long history. Riots, fire, discrimination – and yet they literally rose from the ashes, with faith, hope, and a desire to rebuild, and not give in to cynicism and fear. Friars like Matthew Carr and John Rosseter, O.S.A. had the faith and courage to leave Ireland and set out to build something new, and this is the type of bold, ambitious faith that’s needed today.

I think back to that cholera epidemic in 1832. Here we are all these years later, still fighting and overcoming epidemics. There are situations in life where people are afraid, sick, in despair, and are without hope. Hopefully the St. Augustine Parish community can serve as a catalyst for renewed hope, renewed faith, and a renewed sense of belonging. All the reasons that people first came to St. Augustine’s so many years ago are still reasons to visit St. Augustine’s today – the love and hospitality of a welcoming Augustinian community!

I hope you will take the time to visit St. Augustine’s soon.

Peace always,