Rome: The spiritual heart of Rome will witness a momentous event as Pope Leo XIV presides over the opening Mass of the 188th General Chapter of the Order of St. Augustine on September 1 at the historic Basilica of St. Augustine in Campo Marzio. The occasion holds special significance, coinciding with the anniversary of Pope Leo’s own entry into the novitiate in 1977, underscoring his personal connection to the Augustinian vocation.
The Mass will formally inaugurate the General Chapter, which will continue its deliberations at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum until September 18. The proceedings will be made accessible globally through live streaming on Vatican News’ website, YouTube, and Facebook, with commentary available in English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Polish.
Held once every six years, the General Chapter brings together approximately 100 Augustinian delegates from around the world. Seventy-three of these representatives, drawn from 46 countries and 41 jurisdictions, will exercise voting rights to shape the future of the Order. They collectively represent 2,341 Augustinians serving in 395 communities across five continents as of December 31, 2024, according to the Holy See’s Central Office of Church Statistics. Among the key tasks before the Chapter is the election of the 98th Prior General, following the completion of Father Alejandro Moral’s 12-year leadership spanning two terms.
Beyond the election, the Chapter program includes sessions with contributions from the presidents of Augustinian religious sisters’ federations and from lay members of the Augustinian family, who will participate in discussions without voting privileges.
The tradition of papal presence at the opening of the Augustinian General Chapter was notably set by Pope Francis in 2013. Then, he presided at the opening Mass marking the conclusion of Robert Prevost’s term as Prior General. In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on St. Augustine’s enduring spiritual legacy, emphasizing “the restlessness of the heart” as a path toward God and love. He urged the faithful to embrace an active, outward-looking faith “always going out toward God and always going out toward the flock” portraying Augustine as a figure perpetually in motion, driven by spiritual seeking and love for others.
With Pope Leo XIV at the helm, the 188th General Chapter promises a spiritually rich and globally resonant gathering, reaffirming the Augustinian commitment to faith, service, and the cultivation of a restless, seeking heart in pursuit of God’s mission.