© 2005 - 2008 Friends of Augustine

Friends of Augustine - UK

With Your  Word You pierced my heart,  and I loved You

Pilgrimage 2008 Clare Priory

Friends of Augustine National Meeting 2007        The Prior Provincial’s view

Last weekend brought together at Clare Friends of Augustine from Birmingham, Hythe, Clare, Carlisle, Halifax, Njimegen and Rome. The gathering was open to all and it was good to see so many of our own parish deeply involved in the event.

Deacon Nigel Bavidge spoke of how St Augustine reflected on the Scriptures and used them as a mirror for his life and preaching. Fr Ben spoke of prayer and of Augustine's inner search. He told us that, in the light of Augustine's experience, "if God calls us, we have to call him back". Fr Wim Sleddens, OSA Assistant General, who has recently translated the entire Confessions from Latin into Dutch, led us through Augustine's work of praise and prayer. Jan van Swam, a parishioner from Njimegen, Holland, recounted how the Familia-Augustiniana-Netherlands works and prays together.

All in all, this was a weekend of insights and encouragement. I congratulate Fr Bernard Rolls, Prior of Clare, and the local Friends on their excellent preparation and the welcome they provided.

Fr David

Provincial