United by a Common Love of God and Neighbor
In the City of God, Saint Augustine gives us a path beyond political or ideological affiliation towards unity.
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October 6, 2022
Mercy is the Path Back to God
by Jeremy Hiers, OSA Isaiah 41:13-20 is a reminder to God’s people that despite the sinful things they had done, God would not forsake or abandon them. The people had…
December 9, 2021
Hurry Up and Wait: Welcome to Advent
by Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. What are you longing for? When I was a High School senior, I applied to enter the U.S. military. Military entrance involves a weekend visit to…
November 30, 2021
Augustinian Ministry / Justice and Peace / Life Experiences / Liturgical Year / Modern Topics / The Confessions
What Can the Incarcerated Teach Us About Advent?
As we journey towards Christmas, the Advent season invites us reflect on the hope we have that Christ has come and Christ will come again to free us. Yet, throughout…
November 29, 2021
Augustinian Reflections / Gospel Reflections / Life Experiences / Liturgical Year / Matthew 08:5-13: The Healing of the Centurion's Servant / Modern Topics
Growing in Hope
by Jeremy Hiers, OSA The centurion found in Matthew 8:5-11 was a man who understood the concept of authority. He was someone both subject to the authority of those who…
November 29, 2021
St. Rita was contemplating the passion of Jesus Christ. When she suffered she looked to Christ for understanding and guidance. Stained Glass window at the National Shrine of Saint Rita. Photo by Fr. Dan McLaughlin, OSA.
Augustinian Ministry / Augustinian Prayer / Augustinian Reflections / Augustinian Saints / Gospel Reflections / Life Experiences / Liturgical Year / Luke 21:12-19: The Coming Persecution / Modern Topics / The Rule of Augustine
Saint Rita and the Narrow Way to Peace
How do we advocate for peace and justice in a world that is not always open to honest "dialogue" on the solutions we are all hungry for? Solutions that call…
November 24, 2021
Augustinian Reflections / Augustinian Saints / Gospel Reflections / John 18:28-40: The Trial Before Pilate / Justice and Peace / Life Experiences / Modern Topics
Christ the King
by Jeremy Hiers, OSA Once a priest was giving a homily that was a little longer than it should have been. Yet as he went on, he became more animated. At one…
November 21, 2021
Mary, Mother of Captives
Mary, Mother of Captives, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger.…
November 19, 2021
Augustinian Reflections / Augustinian Saints / Gospel Reflections / Luke 19:1-10: Zacchaeus the Tax Collector / Modern Topics
Are We Eager for Peace?
One Sunday when I was still in seminary in Chicago, a classmate and I went to Mass. During communion time, we observed a mother approach to receive the Eucharist as she…
November 16, 2021
Augustinian Ministry / Augustinian Saints / Justice and Peace / Life Experiences / Modern Topics / Prayers
A Prayer for Social Justice Ministry
Good Jesus, if only I could, for love of you, give food to all the poor! Lord, if only I could visit every hospital and serve the sick, if only…
November 13, 2021
A Prayer of the Peacemaker
Dear Saint Rita, messenger of peace and herald of reconciliation, despite hardship and suffering you lived the Gospel message of compassion and forgiveness and showed the power of love to…
November 12, 2021
Augustinian Reflections / Augustinian Saints / Justice and Peace / Life Experiences / Luke 17:1-6: Temptations to Sin / Modern Topics
Do You Dare to Be Different like St. Rita?
by Jeremy Hiers, OSA In Luke 17:1-6, Jesus is acknowledging our proclivity towards sin and its effects on the world. Perhaps he says to us today, "Greed, discrimination, materialism, inequality,…
November 8, 2021
Saint Rita, Gun Violence, and Mass Incarceration
The U.S. system of Mass Incarceration has historically been based on a model of retribution (punishment for crimes committed against the law) rather than a restorative model which takes a…
November 3, 2021
St. Rita was contemplating the passion of Jesus Christ. When she suffered she looked to Christ for understanding and guidance. Stained Glass window at the National Shrine of Saint Rita. Photo by Fr. Dan McLaughlin, OSA.
Saint Rita Understands our Time of Division and Conflict
We live in a very divided world. The level of division we are experiencing here in the United States can at times appear so deep we may wonder if there…
August 13, 2021
Augustinian Saints / John 20:1-10: The Empty Tomb / Life Experiences / Liturgical Year / Mark 16:1-8: The Resurrection of Jesus / Modern Topics
What Can Saint Rita Teach Us About Easter?
by Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. Roll away the stone. At Christmas we rejoiced that love has come. Now at Easter we rejoice that love has won. Love always wins. On…
April 3, 2021
A Litany for Peace In Troubled Times
God our Father Deliver us God the Son of the Father Deliver us God the Holy Spirit Deliver us In these days of trouble, fear, and sorrow Deliver us From…
January 14, 2021
Augustine Quotes on Dealing With Those Who Have Different Views
Compiled by Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. "Every human being is neighbor to every other human being. Even those you do not know share in your humanity. Is this person known as…
October 13, 2020
Gospel Reflections / Justice and Peace / Life Experiences / Liturgical Year / Luke 06:27-32: Love for Enemies / Modern Topics / The Rule of Augustine
Turning the Other Cheek
Turning the Other Cheek A Reflection on Luke 6:27-38 by Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. I recently reflected on a time when I was 10 years old and sitting on our living…
September 1, 2020
Gospel Reflections / Justice and Peace / Matthew 05:21-26: Teaching About Anger / Matthew 22:35-40: The Greatest Commandment / Modern Topics
What is an Augustinian Response to Systemic Racism?
by Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A. While it was written over 1600 years ago, the Rule of Augustine governs the Augustinian way of life today. It also provides a lot of insights…
August 22, 2020
How Can I Take Action?
by Michael Riggs, O.S.A. In the days following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, I felt a weight on my heart that left…
August 10, 2020