Augustinian College closes; new house of studies opens in Chicago

Published: 2007-07-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Augustinians of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova will be closing Augustinian College in Washington after 88 years and opening a new interprovince house of studies in Chicago. The community is closing the college because of a lack of Augustinian ministries and apostolates in the Washington area. More opportunities exist in Chicago for the order's students to experience Augustinian ministry in parishes and schools, according to a news release. Theological studies will now take place at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The Augustinian College community opened in 1919 under the guidance of Augustinian Father Nicholas Vasey. Generations of friars studied at the college under Augustinian faculty. The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova is made up of priests and brothers whose ministry extends along the East Coast. The college community also included friars from the order's other North American provinces, including the Midwest, West Coast and Canada.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .