The Augustinian Friars in Britain
Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord
What intrigued you about the Augustinian way of life?
I was looking at being a priest but I also envisioned it as being in the model of the twelve disciples. By that I mean different types of people living together but sharing in their ministry. I found the Augustinians did exactly this and felt this is what I was looking for at the time.
What’s your definition of an “Augustinian”?
A religious brother who lives in a community and participates in various ministries so as to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our world. This is so that the Augustinian himself can also encounter Jesus through his work and those he comes into contact with.
What types of ministry intrigue you?
I like to say any but there are some ministries that I feel would not be suitable such as lecturing in seminaries. My current interests are formation, vocations and parish work as these are what have appealed to me most since ordination.
What are you passionate about?
Many things, The Gospel of Christ. Expressing creativity, showing others from my own experience that our past lives rather than holding us back help get us to where we are today no matter where we come from.
When you’re celebrating your 20th Jubilee as an Augustinian, what do you hope to have accomplished in that time?
I want the province of England to be going strong, I want us to have at least five more parishes with fifty active and able Augustinians working within the province. I would like to have at least completed writing one of the many novels or manuscripts I continually start but never finish.
How did you know you were being called to an Augustinian vocation?
I was sitting around a table in a community in Hammersmith having lunch. Watching different types of personalities all friars and priests bantering, sharing their lives together and enjoying each others company and I thought, yes this is it, this is what God wants for me.
Why would the Augustinian Order be appealing to others discerning religious life?
The sense of being a part of the good news of Jesus Christ that comes from living within a community and from participating in the ministry of the wider church community such a parishes, hospitals etc and various chaplaincies. By the sense of the good news of Jesus Christ I mean love of God, love of neighbour and love of self.
