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Friars
move back to their new home
After two years of renovations, Saint Thomas of
Villanova Monastery on the campus of Villanova University is once again home
to a community of Augustinian friars. During the first two weeks of January,
57
 Augustinians
moved back to a monastery with a whole new look.
Two years of extensive renovations have turned Saint Thomas of Villanova
Monastery into a building that actually reflects the Augustinian way of
life. More than simply bringing the aged building into compliance with
current building codes, the renovation took the Augustinian value of
community and architecturally designed it into the monastery.
To that end, the monastery now has a common room, dining room and a new
glass chapel all centered together, enhancing and encouraging a way of life
that emphasizes community.
"Augustinians are about community," said Father Donald Reilly, O.S.A., prior
provincial of the Province of
 Saint
Thomas of Villanova. "We find God through others, and renovating the
monastery with this in mind is a testament to the value we place on our way
of live."
And with a new glass chapel facing the heart of Villanova University's
campus, Fr. Reilly thinks others will see that value as well. "We've taken a
building that was shrouded in mystery by its very design and turned it into
a welcoming home where others are invited to both witness and share in our
way of life." The new chapel allows students and faculty to see friars at
prayer as they go about their camp us routine. The Augustinians see this as
the best marketing tool there is.
"Thousands of students will walk by that chapel every day," said Fr. Reilly.
"They'll see friars at prayer, and they'll realize there is value in this
way of life. It's a wonderful way to promote our way of life to a generation
that is seeking a deeper sense of spirituality in their lives."
The Augustinian-influenced architecture is also prominent in the second
floor of the monastery, which houses a residential care center that will
provide comprehensive
 health
care to aging and infirm friars. Rather than outsource the care of its
friars, the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova has made a deliberate
choice to create a residential care center that will allow friars to
continuing living in community with one another for as long as possible.
Said Father Bill Donnelly, O.S.A., who headed up the renovation project for
the Province, "The residential care center allows us to care for our own,
and that has immense value to us as Augustinians."
While the monastery community has moved back to their home, some exciting
work on the building is still underway. A new "Heritage Room" will soon give
visitors the opportunity to learn the history of the Augustinians and
Villanova University, and a new "Augustinian Way of Life Center" will
provide students and others with the opportunity to learn about the
Augustinians' volunteer program, religious vocations, and more.
To help fund the renovation, the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova has
embarked on a $25 million campaign which they are calling "Embracing the
Future...." Half the funds raised will go toward the monastery renovations,
while the other half will help create endowments for: care of the elderly;
Augustinian missions; the Augustinian Volunteers program; and education,
formation and vocation efforts.
For more information, call 610-527-3330 or visit www.augustinian.org.
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