Jun Maranan, in his white Novice habit. Five years ago, Jun Maranan could not have imagined himself here. He had spent more than two decades building a successful career in healthcare. He was an occupational therapist, researcher, consultant, educator, administrator, and counselling manager. His work was meaningful. He was helping people. He had built a secure and successful life. “If you would have asked if I was interested in entering a religious community, I would have tol

Kurt Bragg, here photographed in his white Novice Habit. Kurt Bragg likes to see the whole road ahead. “I'm a 30,000 foot view person," he says. "I like to see the road and all the pathways to get there before I make decisions." His vocation journey? It hasn't worked that way. On August 1, 2026, Kurt will make his First Profession of Vows as an Augustinian, promising to live poverty, chastity and obedience in the Augustinian way of life. After spending a year in the novitiate

Brent Faubert in his white Novice habit. For much of his adult life, Brent Faubert was doing exactly what he thought he was supposed to do. He built a successful career. He pursued professional achievement. He worked hard, advanced in his field and accomplished many of the goals he had set for himself. Then, in his 30s, something unexpected happened. “I had achieved so many of my objectives and didn't feel the way I thought I should feel,” he said. On August 1, 2026, Brent wi

Jugie "John" Bernardo in his white Novice habit. When Jugie “John” Bernardo first met the Augustinians, he expected to learn about community but instead, he found himself learning about his own restless heart. That discovery has become one of the defining themes of his vocation. As John prepares to profess his first vows as an Augustinian friar on August 1, 2026, he says the greatest gift of formation has has been discovering that authentic community begins with authentic sel

Doubt is a common experience during discernment. I am not worthy. I don’t have what it takes. I am not like other people who joined a religious order. I could never make the necessary sacrifices. Interestingly, these were some of the same doubts Augustine faced in the events leading up to his conversion. He felt strongly drawn to the faith and the idea of surrendering all to follow Christ. Yet he felt paralyzed by his own weaknesses and attachments to his old way of life. “

Fear is a very common experience when discerning religious life. It can also threaten to paralyze our discernment journey. What will my future look like? Will I get to see my family? What happens if a loved one becomes seriously ill? What happens if I get a ministry assignment I am not happy with? What happens when I need new shoes? What happens if I fall in love? Will I be able to have hobbies? What happens to my savings and retirement if I leave my career to enter r

The choices we make are a messy business. By Fr. Robert F. Dueweke, O.S.A. Originally published in the November 2025 edition of Cross Roads , the magazine of the Diocese of Lexington, KY. We come to the metaphorical fork in the road, and we must make a choice: go left or go right? Or stand still? Whatever choice we make, we will never know for sure if it was the right choice. What is certain is that our choices make us who we are. I found myself at a fork in the road when dec

In November 2025, Augustinian Vocation Director Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., joined "The Inner Life" radio host Patrick Conley for a discussion about Vocations on Relevant Radio. Listen to the show recording (embedded above) to listen to content about: What is a vocation? Why doesn't God make our vocation clear to us all the time? Fr. Tom's discernment story Overcoming obstacles when discerning religious life Helping parents encourage their children to discern their vocations

Before he became Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost was a young man with a gift for mathematics and a longing to serve. That longing...

Discerning religious life as a priest or brother can be scary. Any time we are confronted with multiple options, it’s important to take a st

Fr. Sam Joutras provides a reflection on the Eucharist, and our oneness with Christ as Catholics.

The following is an excerpt from a homily preached by Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., on the celebration of his 30th Year of Ordination as an...

Augustine gave 10 tips to Anicia Proba on how to cultivate ones prayer life.

In the ninties, the U.S. Bishops released three specific and concrete goals for evangelization.

The Pear Story in Augustine's Confessions is one of his well- known adolescence stories and one of my favorites in his writings.

How can we find peace in a world with so much conflict and division?

Ascension of Christ - Augustine

Saint Monica famously led Augustine back to Christianity after he left the faith. Read about their story and relationship here.

Sin after baptism? If you were baptized as an infant, you may wonder how you experience sin after the sacrament. Augustine has an answer.

Community is the cornerstone of an Augustinian lifestyle. Come read Fr. Jeremy Hiers give an explanation of what this means.