May 2025 was a special month for the Order. We witnessed the historic election and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, our Augustinian brother, celebrated graduations at our schools, experienced joy at our parishes, and connected with the worldwide Augustinian community. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and prayers as we continue to grow together in faith.

The Midwest Augustinians

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Over the past month, our Province has joined the rest of the world in celebrating our new Pope as he begins his ministry.

Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance outside the Vatican with a visit to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, which is overseen by Augustinians. The visit marked a historic moment, as Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pope. Members of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel were present at this historic first trip including Fr. Anthony Pizzo, Fr. Richie Mercado, and Fr. Raymond Flores.

Pope Leo XIV prays before the Shrine of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano.

Affiliates Receive National Pro-Life Award

On May 3rd, Augustinian Affiliates Mr. Anthony and Dr. Phyllis Lauinger received the Evangelium Vitae Medal at the University of Notre Dame.

The award is one of the nation’s most important awards for leaders of the pro-life movement. Tony and Phyllis helped co-found Tulsans for Life in 1973, and have led and actively participated in pro-life public policy and healthcare initiatives for over 50 years.

Congratulations, Phyllis and Tony!

On April 28th, Fr. John Merkelis celebrated his 40th anniversary of priestly ordination. Last month we featured the celebration at Providence Catholic High School. Here he is pictured celebrating with the St. Clare Friary community.

A delegation of Augustinians traveled to Rome to attend the Pope's Inauguration bearing a special gift for Pope Leo XIV: his original, handwritten vows to the Augustinian Order.

When in Rome, the friars provided interviews to the media, explored Rome, and spent time in fellowship with Augustinians from around the world.

In the days following the Inauguration, the Augustinians were able to present Pope Leo with his vows during a special audience with Augustinian friars and sisters.

On Tuesday, May 20, the Holy Father celebrated a private Mass with the members of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he used to be the Prefect before becoming Pope. Fr. Richie Mercado, OSA, who works at the Dicastery, was able to speak to the new Pope.

Villanova College, Canada’s only independent Catholic Augustinian school, is proudly marking its 25th anniversary with a year of celebrations to reflect the school’s values and community spirit. The anniversary celebrations have so far included: a special Opening School Mass in the Fall, presided over by His Eminence Francis Cardinal Leo, Archbishop of Toronto; a spectacular Gala (pictured below); and a special Anniversary Mass, which was concelebrated by Augustinian friars, including three from Chicago - Fr. Anthony Pizzo, Prior Provincial of the Midwest Province, Fr. Bernard Scianna, and Fr. Thomas McCarthy. They were joined by: Fr. Robert Dodaro, Chaplain of Villanova College; Fr. Joel Okojie, Prior and Shrine Director at Marylake; and the school’s first Chaplain, Fr. John Yake, who travelled from his retirement home in Cape Breton.

In late May, Fr. Jack Tierney, joined a group of alumni from Augustinian Academy in St. Louis for lunch. The group gathers on a monthly basis to share in fellowship -- and is very excited about the election of Pope Leo XIV! This was the largest gathering in recent months, and the group hopes the momentum will continue!

On May 26, a special fundraiser was held in King City, Ontario, for the new long-term care facility called St. Rita at Marylake. The event honored Cardinal Francis Leo, the Archbishop of Toronto, who was recently created a cardinal in December. Provincial Anthony Pizzo attended along with Marylake Prior and Shrine Director Fr. Joel Okojie, and the lay board members of the AFOI- Augustinian Fathers of Ontario, Inc. (Mr. Paul Paradiso, Mr. Angelo Bitondo, Mr. Remo D'Angelo, and Mr. Quinto Annibale). They were joined by Province Council Member Fr. Jack Tierney, Secretary Br. Nicholas Mullarkey, and Marylake Operations Manager Enza DeMedicis. The Cardinal was honored with a special wing named after him. The Cortellucci family was also honored with a piazza named after their mother. The new facility will serve up to 160 residents and is greatly needed in an area with few long-term care resources.

Read more about the event.

Read more about the project here.

On May 10th, Rev. Terry Deffenbaugh celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination! Here he is celebrating with members of the Crown Point community.

During his recent trip to Rome, Provincial Anthony Pizzo was able to visit the office of Fr. Richie Mercado at the Dicastery for Bishops. Fr. Richie has a reputation for doing an amazing job in his work focusing on the Philippines and Australia, and he previously worked closely with Cardinal Prevost prior to his election as Pope.

Prior Provincial Anthony Pizzo, O.S.A., and Rev. Richie Mercado, O.S.A., with Rev. Carlos Enriquez, an official at the Dicastery for Bishops.

On May 22nd, Br. David Marshall (Midwest) and Br. Tony Moreno (California) graduated from Catholic Theological Union (CTU). They each received a Masters in Pastoral Studies (MAPS). They were joined by Prior Provincial Anthony Pizzo and the members of their formation community, St. Augustine Friary, which includes friars from all three provinces of FANA.  

Left to Right: Rev. John Lydon, Director of Post-Novitiate Formation; Br. David Marshall; Br. Tony Moreno; Rev. James Keating, Prior of St. Augustine Friary.

St. Augustine Friary Community and Prior Provincial Anthony B. Pizzo.  

On Saturday, May 17, Wilder Alberto Vásquez Saldaña, OSA, was ordained the new Bishop of the Prelature of Chuquibambilla, Peru. He was officially installed in the Prelature on May 24. Wilder is a member of the Augustinian Vicariate of Chulucanas.

Bishop Wilder Vasquez, OSA, during Ordination Mass; (far right) Bishop Edinson Farfán, OSA, Bishop of Chiclayo, also from Vicariate of Chulucanas

Left to Right: Fr. José Manuel Vizcarra, OSA (Apurimac); Bishop Wilder Vásquez (Chuquibambilla), OSA; Fr. Reydin Rumy Alvarado, OSA (Monserrat)

On May 28th, Rev. Homero Sanchez celebrated his 40th birthday! St. Rita Parish hosted a special celebration. 

If you have pictures of any celebrations or events involving the Augustinians and/or the places they serve, please send them to secretary@midwestaugustinians.org.