Conclusion of Father Joseph Farrell's Renewal Visitation of the Province of California

During February 2025, the Vicar General and Assistant for North America, Fr. Joseph Farrell, OSA, carried out the renewal visitation of the Province of California

The visit began with the San Francisco community (February 17-18), continued with the Ojai community (February 19-20), the Los Angeles community (February 21-23), and concluded with the San Diego communities (February 24-26).

Throughout this journey, Father Farrell had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with all the friars and witness the wide range of ministries — "so diverse and active" — that the Augustinians carry out along the West Coast of the United States.  

This two-week visitation allowed him to appreciate the ordinary yet vital work the Augustinians undertake in various apostolates: hospital and nursing home chaplaincies, visiting the sick and homebound, promoting vocations, providing education at their two major academic institutions (Saint Augustine College in San Diego and Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai), offering spiritual direction, supporting parish ministries, and fulfilling other responsibilities within local communities, the province, and in formation.  

"This diversity of actions and ministries," noted the Vicar General, "contributes significantly to spreading the Good News of the Gospel and promoting the Augustinian way of life."  

What is behind a renewal visitation?

The visitation requested periodically by the Prior General, asking the general assistants to visit each jurisdiction where the Order is present, is known as a renewal visitation. "One of its main objectives is to evaluate, observe, and renew our way of living, praying, and spending meaningful time with our brothers in the communities, so that we may be even better prepared to go out and serve alongside our sisters and brothers in our apostolates," explained Father Farrell.  

He also gathered reflections from the people the friars work with, from the lay people who collaborate with the Order, and from those who expressed deep gratitude for the work carried out by the friars and the Order as a whole. "This is undoubtedly a blessing, and we can take great pride in all the good things happening in the Province of California," he concluded.