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The College was founded by
five young Augustinian priests in 1948. Over 3,000 priests and
brothers of the Order of St Augustine are active throughout the world in
ministries which serve society and the Church. In Australia, in addition
to Villanova College at Coorparoo, they serve at St Augustine's College,
Sydney, in parishes, hospital and tertiary
education chaplaincies, in teaching posts in universities and in a variety
of other ministries in local churches. They work alongside dedicated lay
people who also value the teachings of St Augustine and the Augustinian
ideals of education and service and who bring their own particular skills
to the work of the Order. Many of these people also consider themselves
Augustinians.
Augustinian high schools and tertiary institutions
can be found throughout the world. In the U.S., Augustinian educational
works include Villanova University, Merrimack College, secondary schools
in New York, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Tulsa and Phoenix.
Augustinian schools and universities are also found in South America,
Belgium, Spain, Germany, Holland, Ireland, India, England and the Philippines.
Interchange with these various communities is part of the College's tradition.
Villanova students and staff regularly visits Augustinian schools overseas
and Villanova welcomes visitors from overseas. In the educational works,
lay teachers are called to assume world wide responsibility for the Augustinian
nature of the ministry through their own development and teaming in the
Augustinian ideals of education. Villanova, as an Augustinian school,
invites students, their parents and other friends of the College to grow
in knowledge and appreciation of its Augustinian traditions. These create
a community whose vision and activity is firmly grounded in sound Gospel
and Augustinian values.
Several Villanova graduates are members of
the Order of St Augustine and they serve in various places throughout
Australia and overseas.
An Augustinian Approach to Contemporary Education
As part of the Order that recognises St Augustine
as its founder, the College promotes his ideal of community where the
members are 'one in mind and heart on the way towards God'.
An Augustinian approach to education seeks to create a community context
in which learning can occur. The community extends to students, staff
and parents. The work of the school involves a partnership between student
and teacher and a partnership between teachers and parents. It also extends
to the other members of the community including past students and parents.
Many of these continue to be involved socially and support the College
through voluntary work and donations. However its function is not to become
a closed club but rather to reach out to serve others in the local community.
Also, as an Augustinian school the College is part of an international
network of schools and universities. The cross cultural exchange of ideas
and friendships amongst staff and students from different countries enriches
College life.
The fundamental work of the College is that
of education. Education in the Augustinian tradition is concerned with
building a firm foundation of knowledge for personal and spiritual life
as well as a basis for professional or work life. Real education is characterised
by a searching for knowledge and understanding that is integrated with
personal experience. This view of learning is opposed to any which sees
education as the mere acquisition of facts and information from outside
for the purpose of regurgitation. The process of integration of knowledge
is essential. St Augustine speaks about the teacher within
who can test the truth of what is being taught. This teacher is the presence
of God within the person. Processes of interior reflection and evaluation
are part of this. The College motto, 'Truth Conquers', is based on the
phrase from Augustine's writings 'Nothing conquers except truth and the
victory of truth is love'. Ultimately our lives need to be based on truth.
Truth is true knowledge, not ignorance. Truth is living rightly, not according
to false values. Ultimately it is God who is both Truth and Love. Almost
as a consequence of this, an Augustinian education also seeks a balance
in learning between different kinds of subjects be they humanities or
sciences, career oriented or focused on spiritual, personal and interpersonal
growth. Truth cannot be found along a narrow path.
Since its beginnings the College has treasured
open, friendly and caring relationships between teachers and students.
As an educator himself, St Augustine found this an essential element of
good teaching and learning for both student and teacher.
As a consequence of the community ideal, the
pastoral care of students, parents and staff is a very important part
of the character of the school. At all times, but in times of crisis or
difficulty especially, all members of the community are encouraged to
reach out to those in need. Amongst students, the College seeks to
instil
a sense of self discipline. On one hand students are called to account
for their actions - one of the first Rector's (Fr O'Donnell) well remembered
phrases was 'Follow the rule or the rule will follow you'. On the other
the hand, the ultimate ideal is one of self directed right behaviour.
Again the Augustinian ideal is of 'free people acting under the influence
of grace rather than slaves under the law.' (Rule of St Augustine)
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