The Augustinian Friars in Britain
Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord
The Order of St. Augustine (Augustinians) is an order of brothers - many of whom are priests - within the Catholic Church.
The Order was founded in two successive stages (1244 and 1256) when groups of religious living in Tuscany were united to form the Order under the rule and spiritual inspiration of St. Augustine.
Today there are over 2,700 Augustinians serving in around 40 countries in the various continents. We are from the Province of England and Scotland.
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Deacon Nigel Bavidge - This page
Augustinian Youth Encounter - This page
Medieval Seal of Prior General
Students European Initial Formation meeting
Meeting of English speaking Provincials
A visit to the Community of Discernment
Augustinians in Print - Feb 10
Woodvale Fundraising for young people
Austinform Dec 2009 Newsletter
Friends National Meeting Oct 09
Augustinian Youth Encounter
Please pray for Deacon Nigel Bavidge who died on 17 August 2010.
There was universal and unstinting praise— a friendly, happy atmosphere, well-organised etc. But what was it really that made the occasion? The following is an attempt to pinpoint it.
It was a thoroughly Augustinian occasion. That does not mean that we were repeatedly beaten over the head with Augustinian spirituality and theory. It meant rather that we prayed together, we reflected together, we had fun together, we were friends together. Each element is essential and the operative word always is ‘together’. Others might have produced an event more powerfully socially-conscious or more profound theologically or more prayerful. We did it the Augustinian way. We do not claim it is better than any other way, but it is our way. It is our window on the Gospel.
Community? A word in such constant use that it has become frayed at the edges. It can mean anything: a group of men living together under the one roof, eating together, saying the prayer of the Church together and then each one going off in his own direction, like rays of light from a single source, each working hard and doing good work—alone.
The Augustinian centre is more like a beating heart, the house group sharing their life, their hopes, their aspirations, planning their work together, then gathering another circle of co-operators, who will reach out to further outer circles and so on, concentric circles radiating outwards from the central beating heart.
That, briefly is the story of AYE London 2010. A central organising team, given quite a tight deadline, set out a diary of monthly meetings, dates which they agreed would be first priority. Here ideas were discussed, argued, thrown about and gradually the shape of the gathering determined. Our office team, involved in these meetings, took the ideas back and gave them flesh, attending to the myriad of details that kept emerging. Meanwhile, regular meetings took place with the Youth Ministry Core team, which our youth worker has had in place for several years and which was now a powerful human resource to become involved. Gradually, they built up a further team of volunteers, the next concentric circle, tasks were identified and allotted. All together were then prepared to embrace and take to their hearts the 200 visitors who came from all over the Augustinian world, the next big, big circle.
As the final date approached there was a sense of excitement, but also of calm that everything that could possibly be done to prepare had been done. It was agreed that if problems arose, as they would, there were all the resources needed to deal with them. Perfection and professionalism would be achieved as far as possible, but what mattered most of all was to pray together, to reflect together, to have fun together, to make friends together.
One final reflection for our province: Looking at the group of young adults that we have gathered around us over the years, one is touched by the enormous potential that is there, the energy, the willingness, the goodness. It was our lay team that, with George and Gianni, made this event happen. They probably surprised themselves by what they were able to achieve together—TOGETHER.
Where do we go from here?
Bernard O’Connor OSA
A.Y.E.
There follow some pen-pictures of the encounter, the personal impression of the editor. Others would highlight other aspects. To give individual credits to the team would be impossible—some were up-front in the presentations, others quietly seeing to the details behind the scenes. There was more, much more.
The Opening Ceremony
The different groups converged in informal procession from different corners of the grounds, led by drumbeat, and gathered around a huge cross in the middle of the field, as they sang ‘We are one people …’
Then to the marquee, where each visiting group was introduced to much cheers and Mexican waves—with special warmth for the two Chinese who came via Cuba and for the Indonesian group.
The volunteers were introduced, the AYE song sung. Gradually a more reflective atmosphere was created: the AYE candle was lit, individual candles were lit from it by representatives of each group—a conscious decision had been made not to parade national flags—the representatives led the whole group back to the cross, each person now given a candle. Round the cross, as the sun went down, there were Taize chants and night prayer.
Getting there
The Czech Republic and the Polish group travelled overland by car and minibus (as one of them pointed out ‘without air-conditioning’). The Czech group travelled for 14 hours through the night and, on arrival had been 36 hours without sleep. They were the group who camped outside for the week, in spite of the rain. Others came from the furthest ends of the earth—from Vancouver, California, Australia, Indonesia, Argentina ……..
The Weather
How could it be an English-Scottish occasion without discussion of the weather? Contrary to the official weather forecast, it rained every day from Tuesday until Saturday. The hosts were apologetic, the visitors understanding: ‘You come to England. It rains. What do you expect?’
Thankfully the sun shone when we really wanted it—the afternoon at Clare, the English-style summer fete, the opening ceremony.
Prayer
Mass each morning was at 8 am. We had a full church every morning, even after a long, taxing day—and for some a long and taxing night!
Morning Prayer was led by different groups. Evening prayer was a fixed format. A feature of both was the ‘Our Father’ recited together each in one’s own language.
Friday was a reflective day, centred around forgiveness, leading to the Service of Reconciliation and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation—the confessors spread around the extremities of the field, having to make a dash for the marquee as the skies opened in a heavy shower of rain.
After the service, the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession and enthroned on a small tower in the centre of the marquee, surrounded by a blaze of light. This was a period of silence and reflection, much appreciated.
Friday concluded with the ‘Via Lucis’, stations of the conversion of St Augustine, interspersed with music, concluding with Taize chants.
There were two special Masses: at Clare, where we joined the parish in the marquee, and the concluding Mass led by the Prior General.
Music
There was a strong music group, led by Stefan Park OSA, and Rick Piatt OSA prepared a choir in an amazingly short time for the Taize chants.
The AYE song became quite a hit. It was composed by Johnnie Barnard, a member of our one-time Creative Partnership, who turned up at the last moment and provided much key-board background.
Organisation
A central organising committee was formed consisting of the two friars whose response to the challenge of AYE was ‘Bring it on’ - Gianni Notarianni and George Donaghy, along with the Provincial David Middleton and the chairman Bernard O’Connor. They were joined by the two full-time workers, Michela Notarianni and Claire Webster. A diary of monthly meetings was agreed from the beginning. Basic decisions were made together and the shape of the encounter gradually emerged. Michela and Claire then returned to the office and set the machine in motion.
For some years, Michela, our Province youth worker, had gathered a Core Group of young adults who organised various youth events. This was now a resource to create a hands-on team to perform the numerous tasks that would be involved. They met from time to time at the encounter centre to plan.
A further circle was added of volunteers for the occasion, eventually creating a team of about 40 members. Different layers of responsibility were created, tasks assigned and the machine slipped into gear.
Allowance was made for the fact that, no matter how well prepared we were, some things would go wrong—but no problem!
Clare Priory
The welcome of the Clare parish community was a highlight for many. We were met with a banner of welcome. Teas and scones were provided. There were portaloos.
The Mass in the marquee had that special atmosphere. The parishioners warmed to all these young adults celebrating and singing the Mass so enthusiastically.
We emerged, after a morning of rain, to glorious sunshine and to the welcome aroma of hot dogs.
Local radio reps and photographers arrived.
Summer Fete
A typically English summer fete on Wednesday afternoon also enjoyed glorious sunshine—the usual stalls, games etc. By then everybody was ready for a relaxed afternoon and the organisers showed humanity when 5 o’clock came, all were enjoying themselves and the language groups were dropped.
Friendship
The theme of ‘I call you friends’ turned out to be an inspired choice, an aspect of friendship emphasised each day. The atmosphere of friendship pervaded the whole week. At the end, many said they did not want to leave, they wanted it to go on and on …..
Nigel went to school in Austin Friars, Carlisle, joined the Order for a short while and left, but remained an Augustinian at heart all his life. He worked as religious education adviser to the diocese of Leeds and, on retirement was part-time chaplain at Austin Friars, where, as an Order affiliate, he proudly wore the habit.
Having attended a conference for laity of the Order, he was inspired to establish Friends of Augustine, which he led for several years, organising conferences each year to reflect on Augustine and his spiritual teachings.
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year. He was totally up-front about it, announced it at school, determined to enjoy his already arranged holidays, including scuba-diving in Egypt. He had organised his funeral, the booklet was prepared in the school, awaiting only the date of his death. He said he was not dying of cancer, he was living with cancer.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in Halifax by the Provincial, David Middleton, Paul Graham delivering the homily.
May he Rest in Peace. Amen.