Years of formation and education culminated in a bounty of new professions and ordinations over the months of May and June!
In five separate ceremonies in three cities, the Augustinians of North America were blessed with four Solemn Professions to the Order, four Ordinations to the Diaconate, and one Ordination to the Priesthood.
We wish to take you along on a tour of these past two months with a highlight reel of photos from each of these blessed events!
Wednesday, May 8 in San Diego
In a one-of-a-kind outdoor ceremony at St. Augustine High School, Br. Adnan Ghani, O.S.A. made his Solemn Profession of Vows before brother friars, visiting priests, friends, and the students and faculty of the school community. Br. Adnan came to the Augustinians of California from his hometown of Gurjat, Pakistan.
Sunday, May 26 in San Diego
In a special celebration during the Sunday evening Mass at St. Patrick's Parish, Br. Sarfraz Alam, O.S.A., also a native of Pakistan, made his Solemn Profession of Vows to the Very Rev. Gary Sanders, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the California Province.
Saturday, June 8 in Los Angeles
At Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Los Angeles, the Province of St. Augustine in California witnessed the ordination of four brothers to the Orders of Priesthood and the Diaconate. Fr. Nicholas Porter, O.S.A., was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Dan Turley, O.S.A., who is the Bishop of Chulucanas, Peru. Those ordained to the Diaconate were Barnaby Johns, O.S.A., Adnan Ghani, O.S.A., and Sarfraz Alam, O.S.A.
Sunday, June 9 in Chicago
Br. Nicholas Mullarkey, O.S.A., (from West Des Moines, IA) and Fr. John Arulthas, O.S.A., (from Sri Lanka) make their solemn profession of vows to Prior Provincial Anthony Pizzo at the St. Rita Shrine Chapel in Chicago. Fr. John Arulthas currently serves as Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in King City, Ontario. Br. Nick teaches at the Augustinian Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, OK.
Saturday, June 22 in Chicago
Lastly, Br. Jack Tierney, O.S.A.—who professed his solemn vows this past December—was ordained to the Diaconate by Most Rev. Robert Casey, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, at St. Rita Shrine Parish in Chicago. Br. Jack will continue on his studies in Public Policy at Northwestern University this Fall.
Learn more about what it means to be an Augustinian by checking out our other blog posts here