Spirituality
Catholic Identity
The Augustinian Volunteers is a Catholic program that welcomes both Catholics and non Catholics who share an openness and desire to grow and explore their faith. Rooted in Catholic and Augustinian tradition, volunteers serve by embodying the values of Catholic Social Teaching and servant leadership.
Augustinian Spirituality and Friars
The Augustinian Volunteers are sponsored by the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova which is the formal name for the group of Friars that reside on the east coast. The Augustinian Friars seek to be in service to others and God through the sharing of ideals and values as well as through communion of their material and spiritual goods. While Augustinian Volunteers are not expected to live as the friars live, their way of life is inspired by Augustinian spirituality. Additionally, volunteers have the opportunity to engage in Augustinian spirituality through relationship with the Augustinians. Many volunteers will work within an Augustinian service site placement and each community will share meals on a regular basis with the local Augustinian community. Additionally, each volunteer community cultivates a special relationship with a local Augustinian who serves as an on site mentor and guide.
Community Prayer and Retreats
The Augustinian Volunteers provide ample opportunities for participants to seek to grow in their faith. Each volunteer community is expected to create an intentional space for prayer weekly. Community prayer provides a forum where volunteers have the opportunity to share and grow in their relationship with God and with one another. Community prayer respects the diversity of ways that volunteers search for God during this experience and beyond. Additionally, the Augustinian Volunteers provide structured retreats that enable volunteers to grow together and reflect on their experience in service to others during the beginning, middle, and end of the volunteer year. Retreats also allow for volunteers to re-connect with other volunteer communities as well as alumni and Augustinians.