History

In 1998, a decision was made by the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova to begin exploring the feasibility and benefit of a full-time lay volunteer program, a concept which had first been suggested by the late Ray Jackson, O.S.A. Fr. Joe Mostardi, O.S.A., was asked to consider becoming full-time director of this program and he accepted the placement. After a year of research and preparation, the first group of Augustinian Volunteers began their year of service in the fall of 2000. There were a total of ten Volunteers serving in two sites: San Diego, CA, and the Bronx, NY.

Since that first year of Volunteers the program has grown. Additional domestic Volunteer sites have been established in Lawrence, Massachusetts; Camden, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There is also an international component of our program which has allowed Volunteers to serve in San Gimignano, Italy; Chulucanas, Peru; and Durban, South Africa. Our Volunteers have served in a wide variety of fields, ranging from education to social service, and now in the medical field as well.

We hope to continue to grow and strengthen our program. It has had a strong beginning and there is much potential for a promising future. St. Augustine tells us, “Examine yourself honestly again and again. Put yourself to the test. Do not be content with what you are, if you want to become what you are not yet. For where you have grown pleased with yourself, there you will remain.” We hope to continue to inspire, as well as be inspired by, these young men and women who seek to be of service to others.