IN THE AUGUSTINIAN WORLD
This is a selection of Augustinian events in various parts of the world during recent weeks.
Vatican
Father Mario Bettero O.S.A. (Province of Italy) was recently named as Pastor of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. In this role he has responsibility for all ceremonies conducted in the Basilica. In that he took up his new appointment one day before the death of the late Pope John Paul II, his first weeks in office were very eventful, with the burial of the late Pope and the installation of Pope Benedict XVI. Previously he has worked as a curial official in the Vatican.
The centre of the picture shows the roof terraces of St. Monica’s international college. Immediately above it is the Augustinianum (Patristic Institute), and to its left the Augustinian Curia. The building on the left edge of the picture belongs to an order of Italian religious sisters.
Many international television presenters covering the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI made their "live" reports from the terrace (flat roof area) of Saint Monica's College, which is literally "across the street" from Saint Peter's Basilica and the papal balconies. The funds received for renting the terraces and some of the rooms in Saint Monica's College to television channels has been allocated to several projects of the Order in Africa. As well, ten percent of this income has been given as a donation to the Holy See.
Korea
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| Reconstruction work on the new chapel at Mother of Good Counsel Priory, Do-Shin-Ri. | An example of the work of Korean artist Gabriel Jeong Woo Lee which features a traditional Korean bell and belfry for liturgical use. |
The remodelling and reconstruction work for the small chapel and retreatants' rooms at Mother of Good Counsel Priory, Do-Shin-Ri, South Korea is expected to be completed ahead of schedule by the end of the third week of June. The property was first occupied by the Augustinians on 17 th March 2005.
One special feature of the new chapel will be the tabernacle which will be made in the style of a traditional Korean building. The artist Gabiel Jeong Woo Seo has offered to design and make the tabernacle and other furniture for the chapel including the altar and lectern. All will be made of pine wood.
Mr. Seo took up this work of carving and woodwork about ten years ago after being involved in a serious car accident which left him partially paralysed. Over the years he has done similar work for other Korean churches and convents and several of his creations have been internationally recognised. In 2003 at the World Skills Olympics in Korea, and again in 2004 in New Delhi, India, he received first and second prizes respectively for his artistic works.
Following the completion of the renovations the Bishop of Uijeongbu Diocese, Very Rev. Joseph Lee S.J. will celebrate a Mass of blessing and thanksgiving at Mother of Good Counsel Priory on Monday 27 th June. All the Augustinians of the Korean Delegation as well many friends of the Order will join in the celebrations on that day.
L-R: Br. Salesio Lee OSA and artist Gabriel Jeong Woo Seo at Mother of Good Counsel Priory, Do-Shin-Ri, Korea
Kenya
Part of the ceremony that conferred the diaconate on two Kenyan Augustinians. Nearest the camera is the Augustinian Prior General, and the ordaining prelate is the Archbishop of Nairobi
In Nairobi o n 16 th April, Fr Robert Prevost O.S.A., the Augustinian Prior General from Rome, received the profession of solemn vows of the two Kenyans. In the long history of the Augustinian Order, Jacob Eriek O.S.A. and James Wambugu O.S.A. were the first Kenyans to take vows in the Order.
The two were then on the following day ordained to the deaconate 17th April by the Archbishop of Nairobi, the Most Rev.Raphael Ndingi. The ceremony took place in the Augustinians' Sacred Heart Parish at Baba Dogo, which is on the outskirts of Niarobi
Augustinians from Portugal were sent to Kenya over five hundred years ago, from 1597 onwards. On 21st August 1631 four Augustinians and 152 lay Christians were killed there at Fort Jesus, Mombasa by the local Islamic ruler, and their mission was forcibly closed
Mexico
Augustinians at the vocations conference gather in front of the Augustinian priory at Yuriria, Mexico
A regional meeting organised by the Augustinian International Vocations Commission was held in Mexico from 30 th March to 3 rd April 2005. It brought together the vocation promoters from the Augustinian Provinces of Mexico, Michoacan (western Mexico), Chile, Quito (Ecuador) and from the Vicariates of Castille in Brazil, Antilles and Chulucanas, Peru. The meeting took place at the Centre for Augustinian Spirituality, an Augustinian Priory built at Yuriria in the Mexican state of Guanajuato during the sixteenth century.
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