On the August 28 feast of St. Augustine, one of the US provinces of the Augustinian Order released a 12-minute video that includes a lengthy message from Pope Leo for the friars.
Pope Leo is the first pope of the Order, and introduced himself from the very beginning as a son of St. Augustine. In nearly every speech since, he has included a quote or reference to his spiritual father.
The video, in addition to giving a behind-the-scenes look at Pope Leo's message, gives a brief reflection on the Order and on St. Augustine, combined with beautiful images.
The Holy Father noted how he and the other current Augustinians "stand on the shoulders" of their confreres who came before, specifically in the United States to minister to German and Irish Catholic immigrants.
The Pope also spoke with a smile of the "many years ago" when they were fellow students at Villanova University, run by the Order. As the video was filmed in Castel Gandolfo, he noted how the parish church near the pontifical residence is named for St. Thomas of Villanova.
In the USA, the Augustinian order is divided into three provinces.
