During this year, our sisters the Augustinian Nuns, Servants of Jesus and Mary, are celebrating their 125th year since they arrived in Malta and, therefore, 125 years of tireless work in our islands. The first Augustinian sisters came to Malta from Italy in August 1894 and they founded a community in Qormi where they opened a school for small children.

The mission of the Augustinian Sisters is built on the formation and education of children and youths. Their founder, Sister Maria Teresa Spinelli, brought together a number of girls who did not have access to education in Frosinone, Italy. Eventually, she opened the first public school. Right from the start, she expressed her wish that the congregation is built on Augustinian spirituality. This led to a lasting link with the Order of St Augustine.

This was the start of many years of hard work; not only in Italy and Malta, but in several other countries around the globe. The Maltese sisters, numbering about a hundred, offer an invaluable contribution to the Congregation.

A number of celebrations are being held to mark the occasion. Last Sunday, a day of activities was held starting with Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Malta. It was a day aimed at bringing together the nuns with so many collaborators, present students and former students who received so much from the work of the sisters.

On behalf of the friars of our Province, we would like to wish our Sisters all the best wishes for the future as they continue their work in the field of the Lord and within our Augustinian family.



On Monday 7 October we had a special moment of prayer, formation, prayer and games (Take the Risk) for learners at St Augustine College. This activity helped them to get to know each other better and to learn more about God’s presence in their lives.


During these weeks,  some one hundred Agostinian priests and brothers are engaged in discussions, within the General Chapter of the Order, regarding the Augustinian presence in the Church and the social sphere. On the 9th September the Chapter members celebrated the Eucharist of the Holy Spirit.

The proceedings were as follows; the Chapter members came together in the hall where the Chapter was to be held. The scrutiny for the Prior General took place. In all, eighty members of the Chapter had the right to a vote. The votes were counted. The members of the Chapter then assembled in the Chapel, there the official result was communicated; Rev. Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton of Spain was re-elected as Prior General.

Subsequently, Rev. Fr. Alejandro gave acceptance to the election results and made his profession of Faith by which he re-assumed the chair of Prior General and the responsibilities there of. The Te Deum was chanted.  Than as the Magne Pater Augustine (the hymn for Saint Augustine) was intoned each member of the Chapter exchanged the sign of peace with the Prior General.

Rev. Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton was re-elected Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine for a six year period. This will be his second mandate in a row, since his first mandate comanced in 2013. Rev. Fr. Alejandro, is from La Vid, Burgos (Spain) and he has previously served in his home Province Hispaniae which is based in Madrid. He has been at the Curia as Vicar General of the Order.

In the following days, on Wednesday 11th September 2019, the other officials of the Order were elected: the assistants general being Rev. Fr. Joseph L. Farrell from Darby (Pennsylvania) who was confirmed in the post of Vicar-General ,  Rev Fr. Luis Marin de San Martin and Rev. Fr. Paul Graham, they come from Madrid (Hispana Province) and Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK Anglae-Scotiae Province) respectively, Europe is than represented by two councillors, in the General Council of the Order.

Three other membres of the General Council are Rev. Fr. Anthony Banks, Rev. Fr. Edward Daleng and Rev. Fr. Alexander Lam who hail from Lower Hutt (Australia Province), Yitla’ar Plateau State (Nigeria Province) and Lima (Perù Province) respectively. The office of Secretary to the General Council  will be carried out by a young italian from Trani (Puglia) Rev. Fr. Pasquale Di Lernia OSA.

Two other posts decided by the Chapter for the Augustinian Curia are that of the Economo General which will be filled in by Rev. Fr. Franz  Klein from Wùrzburg (Germany) and the Procurator General post which went to the councillor from Nigeria Rev. Fr. Edward Daleng OSA.

To each and all, these members honoured by such abundant trust from the voters in the 2019 Ordinary General Chapter, we wish every successful enterprise in their present service to the Church and the Order. Goes without saying, we pray with confidance to our unique Lord and trust these brothers of ours to his care and constant vigalance.


On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September, at St Augustine College, Mass was celebrated for Primary and Secondary students together with their educators and parents. It was a special occasion during which we could offer to the Lord the forthcoming scholastic year and thank Him for His presence during the summer months.


Nhar il-Ġimgħa 27 t’ April intemm il-Kapitlu Provinċjali Ordinarju tal-patrijiet Agostinjani ta’ Malta li fih ir-reliġjużi inġabru biex jiċċelebraw u jevalwaw il-ħajja tagħhom, waqt li jippjanaw il-programm tagħhom għall-erba’ snin li ġejjin. Din il-parti tal-Kapitlu kienet preseduta mil-Assistent Ġenerali tal-Ordni, P. Luis Marin de San Martin.


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