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Michael Riggs

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When did you first feel called to religious life? Do you remember a specific place? A person? 
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I first felt called to religious life in the Summer of 2016, just one short year before starting religious formation. I was considering leaving my job since I found the work unfulfilling, but I had trouble deciding a new path for myself. All I knew is that I needed a change. I remember one night sitting in the pews of my local parish after going to confession, and in the stillness of my heart I felt a gentle pull towards considering the priesthood. It was soon after that I learned about religious life, which ultimately led to me finding the Augustinians.


What's something fun / something you enjoy about living in community?  
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What I enjoy most about living in community is being able to share with my brothers what is going on in my life, knowing that they listen and genuinely care. Whether it's sharing the joy of something amusing to me or sharing the worries and challenges I face in my life, I know that I get to experience it all with others who walk this same journey of faith as me. 

 

What is the best kept secret / most underrated aspect of the Tradition and Spirituality of Augustine?  
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Augustine's sense of personal humility is well-known, but what I think is absolutely incredible is the way Augustine describes the humility of God Himself, particularly through the Incarnation. I don't think we often realize how deeply humbling it is for an omnipotent God to take the form of a human being. It takes tremendous humility to make oneself so vulnerable to the suffering that human beings experience. This aspect of Augustine's spirituality is most prominent in his Christmas Sermons. 

   

Do you have a hobby / passion that you enjoy spending time on?  
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Music has always been a passion of mine! I'm not much of a songwriter but I can play several different instruments. I played trombone for many years in school, but I have found that the guitar and flute have become my main instruments for music ministry.

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