On August 25, 2024, we celebrated 150 years of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova!

While the first Augustinians arrived in the United States in Philadelphia in 1796, it wasn’t until 1874 that the country had enough friars to form its first province. The Province was named for St. Thomas of Villanova, for whom Villanova University (founded in 1842 by the Augustinians) was already named. It consisted of 45 friars serving in more than 14 churches across four states.

The first Prior Provincial, Fr. Thomas Galberry, O.S.A., was named in December 1874. Galberry served as president at Villanova College; pastor of the Augustinian mission at St. Denis Church, Havertown, Pa. and St. Mary’s Church, Lawrence, Mass.; and the bishop of Hartford, Ct. before his death in 1878.

Since 1874, the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova now has over 100 friars who serve in ministries in four U.S. states, Japan and Peru. 

It’s an achievement those earliest friars would have a hard time imagining.

Please keep the Augustinians in your prayers during this joyous year, and we hope you can celebrate with us soon!