OMGC is delighted to share a recent NPR feature highlighting the Augustinians and their distinctive charism of community and friendship. The segment includes reflections from Fr. Max Villeneuve, OSA, who serves here at Our Mother of Good Counsel. In the piece, Fr. Max explains that Augustinian life is not just shared housing but a spiritual way of living “with one mind and heart intent upon God,” a vision rooted in Saint Augustine and lived daily in our parish and school community.

Why this matters for OMGC

The Augustinian tradition emphasizes friendship as a path to holiness and mission. That vision shapes how we pray, learn, and serve together at OMGC. Augustinian community life calls us to unity, truth, and charity and invites us to build a culture where students, families, faculty, and friars grow through authentic relationships and shared pursuit of God. The Augustinians+1

Highlights from the segment

• Interest in the Augustinian Order has grown in this papacy, drawing attention to a spirituality that prizes communal life and friendship as a witness to the Gospel. 

• Fr. Max describes Augustinian community as more than living together. It is spiritual unity ordered toward God and expressed in friendship. (“We’re not like holy roommates.”) 

The Augustinian charism in action at OMGC

• Prayer and unity: Our weekly Masses, school liturgies, and service opportunities invite us into shared life with God and one another.

• Friendship as formation: In classrooms, on the yard, and at events, students practice friendship that fosters trust, honesty, and mutual care.

• Truth in charity: The Rule of St. Augustine inspires us to seek truth together and to serve with love in our neighborhood.

Listen and reflect

We invite you to read or listen to the NPR story here:
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/02/nx-s1-5469959/pope-leos-religious-community-is-drawing-renewed-interest-heres-what-makes-it-unique

How we can strengthen the tradition of friendship at OMGC

• Small moments of welcome: Greet new families and classmates by name and introduce them to others.

• Share prayer intentions: Bring class, family, and community needs to prayer together each week.

• Serve in teams: Pair grades or ministries for service projects to deepen bonds across ages.

• Practice “truth in charity”: Encourage honest conversations that build up the community rather than divide it.

Fr. Max’s witness is a gift to our parish and school. Please take a moment to listen, and join us in renewing our commitment to the Augustinian way of friendship that animates life at OMGC.