Humbly Bringing the Healing Hand of God

Augustinians Were First to Explore California

El Compromiso y Espíritu de la Comunidad que Florece en el Ministerio Hispano

In February of 2007, the leadership of the four Augustinian provinces in the United States and Canada gathered in San Diego with a list of agenda items appropriate to the business of vowed religious in the modern church. Few knew that the proceedings of that gathering would result in an historic occasion. During one brainstorming session of that meeting, the idea of a major gathering open to all Augustinian friars from our respective provinces began to germinate.

At first, it was seen as a gathering to get to know one another and to visit some of our formation classmates we had not seen in decades. After listening to the Holy Spirit, we soon recognized that what we first determined to be a friar-style family reunion was actually a wellspring of opportunities to discern what we could do better together than separately. All members of our provinces were sent a joint letter announcing the first-ever convocation, which was to take place two years later at a convention center outside of Chicago.

At the leadership meeting in 2008, friars representing all four provinces appointed a steering committee to oversee the planning. They also decided that the most effective way to promote the convocation was by a series of regional meetings led by all four provincials. Over a six-month time frame, these four superiors traveled to twelve different geographical regions to speak to the Augustinian friars of both countries.

After thousands of air miles, almost countless meetings and teleconferences, the convocation took place the week of June 8th of this year, with 200 Augustinian friars participating. By the time of our first meeting, rather than being an event, the convocation had become — and I am confident will continue to be — a process wherein listening to the Holy Spirit is integral. Those in attendance gave positive direction to a number of ways in which we can do things better together than separately. All are important, but none more so than the reminder of listening to the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit.

With this issue of Spiritu, I invite you to explore other ways in which the Spirit leads the Augustinians and those with whom we are in collaboration or call.

Padre John Keller, O.S.A. dice la Misa en Español.

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Letter from the Editor…Very Reverend Gary E. Sanders, O.S.A. Prior Provincial, St. Augustine Province

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The special vocation of Father Jerry Bevilacqua, O.S.A. is to help people whom the psychiatrists and pastors cannot.

An Augustinian priest engaged in the healing and deliverance ministry, Fr. Jerry devotes much of his attention to those whose lives are beset by profound moral conflicts.

“The battle between good and evil is found in every walk of life,” observes Fr. Jerry. “I know husbands and wives who hate each other and do not understand why. I know children whose parents seem to hate them, making the rest of their lives incomprehensible. I know people whose careers are destroying them. I know people whose inability to resolve the moral problems in their lives makes them feel like they’re already in hell.”

After his Masses, he often conducts a healing service. Before he places his hand on a person, he prays for direction, surrenders the outcome to God and makes sure he keeps his place as a servant of Jesus.

“By being in the healing and deliverance ministry, one actually enters into the spiritual space of another person to help them fight their battles,” he says. “By prayerfully putting your hand on a demonized person,

The Franciscans are forever associated with the exploration of California, and it is generally assumed that they were the first friars to visit the territory that is now the Golden State.

Not so. The very first friar-explorer to arrive in California — more than two centuries before the Franciscans — was an Augustinian. In his book Juan Rodíquez Cabrillo, historian Harry Kelsey cites evidence from the archives in Spain that Fray Julián Lezcano, O.S.A. was a member of the first Spanish expedition, which landed in the harbor of present-day San Diego on Sept. 28, 1542. Following Kelsey’s lead, Fr. Karl A. Gersbach, O.S.A.,

Director of the Augustinian Historical Institute at Villanova University, uncovered more evidence about Fray Julián.

‘A Joy-filled Friendship and Camaraderie among the Friars’Carlos Medina, Jr. is a high-energy young

man of 22, blessed with a quick mind and an engaging demeanor. A recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Carlos is equally at home in deep philosophical inquiry or in down-to-earth, compassionate service to the poor.

In August of last year, Carlos joined the St. Rita Augustinian community in San Francisco as a pre-novice, an important step in discerning his vocation to the religious life. On August 14 of this year, Carlos entered the Augustinian Novitiate in Racine, Wisconsin.

Carlos emigrated to the U.S. with his family from Colombia in 2000. After high school, he attended Diablo Valley College, then transferred to Cal Berkeley. He worked as a dental assistant in his last year of high school and as a labor compliance intern during his college years.

Carlos graduated from Cal Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. “Over the years, philosophy has taught me to value other people’s criticism, to be more humble about my own judgments and opinions and to have

a sense of wonder about God’s creation,” says Carlos.

During his first three years of college, Carlos was involved in swing dancing and Latin dance. He co-founded a philosophy club at Diablo Valley, and joined Toastmasters International. He also was an active participant in his parish, teaching CCD, involved in a scripture reading group, and as a member of the young adult organization.

Beginning last summer, he volunteered at the Living Room of St. Anthony’s Foundation, which provides

breakfast and a place to socialize for homeless and poor people over age 65. Carlos helped serve in the dining room and washed dishes. He also volunteered at the Hamilton Family Center, which offers temporary housing for homeless families with children. At Hamilton, Carlos helped with kids’ recreation, snacks and homework.

“This was my first time immersing myself working with people in need,” Carlos recalls. “I was blessed to come to know them as real people with hopes and interesting pasts… The love with which some of my fellow volunteers

Gracias al poder del Espíritu Santo - y a algo tan simple como un anuncio en el boletín de la parroquia - existe ahora un ministerio Hispano que vibra y que va creciendo en la parroquia Agustina de San Patricio, en San Diego.

Hace cuatro años, los parroquianos que hablan español se acercaron al pastor Fray Tom Verber, O.S.A. (por sus siglas en inglés), para pedirle que se diera misa y sacramentos en español. Ya que era el único padre y con una agenda muy cargada, el padre puso un anuncio en el boletín de la parroquia pidiendo ayuda.

El domingo que fue publicado el boletín, la hija de un antiguo parroquiano (Manuel Silva), lo lei en voz alta y le sugirió a su papá que él tomara la iniciativa.

“Cuando ella le repitió, escuché la voz de Dios, através de la voz de mi hija Dios me pedía que trabajara para la comunidad Hispana”, apunta Silva.

Así fue como nació La Sociedad Hispana de San Patricio, la cual ha crecido dramáticamente desde su fundación. Durante la primera misa en español, más de 60 personas acudieron. Hoy día, a la misa en español acuden más de 300 creyentes.

Manuel, y su esposa Martha, reunieron a 14 parroquianos hispanos para que organizaran y decidieran cuales eran las prioridades de la nueva Sociedad Hispana. Durante las reuniones, se decidió establecer misas, sacramentos, catecismo, estudios de biblia, celebraciones de festividades hispanas, entre otras cosas más relacionadas con las actividades de la vida parroquiana. Entre otros objetivos, también se decidió la evangelización en la comunidad, representación hispana y ayuda en

la parroquia. La participación del

grupo fue clave para obtener estas metas, se puede decir que durante la presidencia del Sr. Silva, quien fungió como tal durante dos años, se cumplieron todos los objetivos trazados; ahora la presidencia es ocupada por la Sra. Silva.

“Es una bendición ver como todas las familias se benefician de los servicios ofrecidos por la parroquia”, apunta la Sra. Silva. “Mi esposa y yo nos sentimos bendecidos por tener la oportunidad de servirle a nuestra comunidad, y damos las gracias por todas las oportunidades que se nos da para crecer espiritualmente”, comentó el Sr. Silva.

El Sr. Silva dice que el grupo tuvo un gran número de mentores y destaca al fraile John Keller, O.S.A., Gary Rye, O.S.A. y fraile Steve Ochoa, O.S.A., ya que todos ellos dieron la misa en español los domingos. Hoy día, los principales padres de La Sociedad Hispana son Frs. Harry Neely, O.S.A. y Alvin Paligutan, O.S.A.

El Sr. Silva alaba al director de La Sociedad Hispana, Deacon Fernando López-Castillo, O.S.A., quien ha estado en el ministerio desde su inicio.

“Deacon Fernando es, y ha sido, el corazón y alma de la Sociedad,” comenta el Sr. Silva. Deacon Fernando da sermones en español en las misas y ayuda con los bautismos, quinceañeras y bodas. También trabaja cada semana planeando

eventos especiales con los parroquianos. Para la fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe,

Deacon Fernando interpreta a Juan Diego, indígena que se le apareció a la Virgen; este es un momento de gracia para Deacon y para la congregación.

“Nuestra misa en español continua atrayendo a muchas personas, la énfasis de la Sociedad Hispana es la evangelización en North Park”, comenta el fraile Tom. “Nuestra esfuerzo ha sido el tener una iglesia que aloje a la gente para que puedan rezar en su propio idioma. Tratamos de tener dos iglesias en el mismo edificio. Es un desafío para todos, pero los resultados nos animan a seguir construyendo una familia en la misma parroquia”, concluyó el fraile Tom.

Fr. Jerry delivers homily at Mass.

Deacon Fernando Lopez O.S.A. (center) participates in Cabrillo landing re-enactment.

served was truly an inspiration.”Carlos has given talks on Augustine and

has also started a blog, piercedbylove.blogspot.com, to increase the presence of St. Augustine, the Order and the Province on the web.

As be began to discern a vocation, Carlos thinks the piety of his mother was the greatest influence. Another factor was his involvement with his parish. “I realized that staying involved with the Church was something I’d like to do more, and for the rest of my life,” he says.

Carlos accepted an invitation from Fr. Tom Whelan, O.S.A. the Province Vocations Director, to attend a discernment retreat. Carlos says it was a great experience for him, and he kept in touch with Fr. Tom afterwards.

The Augustinian parish and teaching ministries appealed to Carlos as did their broad common commitment to being intent on God with heart and mind.

As he got to know the Augustinian friars, the more impressed he became with them. “I saw that each Augustinian is different, yet despite that, they all come together to form a unity. I liked such diversity. It more closely resembles the universal Church and I think it allows for development of each person’s unique talents. But I sensed a joy-filled friendship and camaraderie among the friars.”

Carlos Medina, Jr.

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one can encounter their enemies and pick up their burdens.”It is an awe-inspiring experience for him. “While I was in the hermitage, people prayed over me for

the charismatic gifts,” Fr. Jerry recalls. “Ever since, the Holy Spirit works in me far beyond my natural abilities. It is embarrassing and humbling. I am still learning to appreciate God’s sense of humor. Being able to operate at a supernatural dimension testifies that the Church is not a human invention, but a miraculous gift from heaven. It does not take long before one starts to experience an identity crisis. The only way to avoid the identity crisis is to realize that the gifts are for the Church and do not belong to you. One has to surrender to the anointing and let God lead.”

A Busy Ministry with Time for Contemplation

Fr. Jerry is Director of the 30-year-old Holy Spirit Ministry, headquartered at Holy Spirit parish in San Diego. The ministry is built around a weekly Bible Study, contemplative retreats, workshops and retreats on a wide range of subjects, a men’s ministry, spiritual direction, teaching and counseling. Fr. Jerry trains members of the ministry to make their gifts for healing and deliverance prayer available in service to others.

As assistant to the San Diego Diocesan exorcist, Fr. Jerry’s job is to train team members to work with the exorcist and prepare people for exorcism.

“In the twelfth grade, I knew, with some consternation, that I would be involved in the ministry of exorcism,” he recalls. “The Augustinian charism provides the freedom, the kind of intellectual challenges and the stimulus for a restless heart that prepared me for my present work. I have learned not to make plans. God alone knows what is best for me. Spending my life fighting demons and their human agents is not something I would have chosen for myself.”

Each week, Fr. Jerry spends a few days in solitary contemplative prayer at a desert hermitage owned by the Augustinians. This is an expression of a spiritual inclination dating back to his youth before his seminary days. “A few contemplative experiences of God deeply transformed the meaning of most everything for me,” he recalls.

“St. Augustine’s emphasis on interiority and the interior life is foundational for the Christian spiritual life,” he says. “Finding God within is basic for all the rest of life. The experience of God within

and finding one’s self in God is foundational for making sense of everything else. This becomes the basis for community, and builds readily into friendships, and a passion for truth and goodness.”

Asked what he would tell a young man considering a vocation to the religious life about the Augustinians, Fr. Jerry has this to say:

“If there is a big empty place in your heart that nothing can satisfy, and every attempt to fill it aggravates the emptiness, St. Augustine understands your situation and can show you the way. And even though it may look like an awfully small and restricted life to you now, I know a very happy Augustinian priest who used to think that St. Augustine was crazy when he left his career and went off to study the Bible with a few friends. The rest is history.”

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Fr. Jerry Bevilacqua, O.S.A. was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1937. At the age of 5, he moved with his family to San Diego, where he attended public and parochial elementary schools, and graduated from St. Augustine’s High School. In his early years as a priest, he was a high school teacher, a pastor’s assistant, a hermit for a time and then went back to teaching before he embraced the ministry of healing and deliverance fulltime.

Fr. Jerry is the author of a soon-to-be-released book for lay persons titled “Healing Family.” The book offers sound advice about how to overcome the human and spiritual obstacles to growth and holiness. “Healing Family” will be available at $19.95 from Holy Spirit Ministry, 2725 55th St., San Diego, CA 92105; phone (619) 262-9685.

“The voyage of discovery that Fray Julián took may have seemed to have borne little fruit at the time, but it was important in several ways,” writes Fr. Gersbach. “First, the voyage provided the opportunity to lay claim to the lands for the Spanish crown. Moreover, it helped delineate the coast of Alta California and to give a truer perspective to North America. The data collected about the geographic features of the coast gave points of reference for future voyagers. In addition, some idea of possibilities for future development and colonization was gained.”

Spanish settlement in Alta California did not begin in earnest until 1769, when San Diego was founded. Led by Fray Junipero Serra, the Franciscans established the chain of California Missions along El Camino Real. As noted by Fr. Gersbach, the Augustinians, this time Americans with a past rooted in the Irish Province, did not return to San Diego until 1922. The first permanent foundation was St. Augustine’s High School, which begin there in 1923. With subsequent development, the Augustinians in California became a separate Province of the Order in 1969.

FIRST FRIAR (continued from cover)

HEALING HAND OF GOD (from cover) Augustinian UN Course Makes Lasting Impression

The finding is sparking modern-day awareness. For the past 45 years, there has been a re-enactment of Cabrillo’s landing in San Diego. This past year, the Director of the Cabrillo Monument asked that an Augustinian participate as a re-enactor. Deacon Fernando Lopez-Castillo, O.S.A., represented Fray Julián, and the Augustinians’ Western Province. Deacon Fernando delivered the benediction at a ceremony on Sept. 27 and was on the ship the next day for the re-enactment of the landing.

Julián Lezcano emigrated from Spain to Mexico in 1535. He seems to have had some connection with Don Antonio de Mendoza, the first viceroy of Mexico. After entering the Augustinian Order as a novice in 1541, he pronounced his vows as a friar on January 15, 1542. As the need for priests in Mexico was great, he may have been ordained shortly after this; he was certainly ordained by 1547.

The Spanish Crown had ordered that at least two priests must accompany the armadas. Thus Fr. Gersbach notes: “Fray Julián was not the only Augustinian with Cabrillo. Should he not have been ordained by the time of the Cabrillo expedition, he would have been simply the

companion of an Augustinian priest. Even if he was already ordained, it is highly improbable that he would have been sent on such a voyage without the presence of an older and more experienced religious. He was, to be sure, 21 years old at best. One can only hope that the name of the other friar will emerge from further research.”

The Cabrillo expedition set sail from the port of Navidad in Mexico on June 24, 1542. Six days after arriving in San Diego, the three-ship armada sailed northward reaching what is now San Pedro, Santa Monica, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, Point Conception and beyond that, often buffeted by severe storms. The armada visited many of the offshore islands, what are now Santa Catalina, San Clemente, Santa Cruz and San Miguel; and may have sailed as far north as present-day Oregon.

Cabrillo died on January 3, 1543 on San Miguel Island, from complications of a broken leg incurred in a fall during a brief skirmish with natives. He may have been buried on Catalina Island. Bartolomé Ferrer then assumed command and continued the mission, arriving back in Navidad on April 14, 1543.

Following the social justice teachings of its founder, the Order of St. Augustine is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations. At the U.N., the Order works for human rights, education, development, a culture of peace and the eradication of world hunger.

Part of the mission is to encourage awareness and train Augustinians and others in turn to be educators and promoters of social justice. Accordingly, the Augustinian NGO annually conducts a U.N. Course for Augustinian Justice and Peace Promoters — for clergy and religious, diplomats, college students, and interested lay persons working directly or indirectly with the Augustinians. The course is conducted in conjunction with the United Nations’ international NGO Conference, in which participants can learn firsthand how NGOs function as a positive influence in the world forum.

When Brother Kirk Davis, O.S.A. of the Western Province learned he was designated to attend the course last fall, he was eagerly anticipating the experience. He wasn’t disappointed.

“This was the first international conference I have had the good fortune to attend as an Augustinian,” says Br. Kirk, now in his fourth and final year of Theology at the Catholic Theological Union Seminary, Chicago. “I was most struck by the vast international dimension of the Order, and by how much like family everyone felt to me. It is also incredible to think about Augustinians working in so many corners of the world as agents for good.”

Br. Kirk was impressed with the course presenters, particularly a paper presented by Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Assistant General of the Order, titled “The Augustinian Perspective on Human Rights.” Summed up: The very foundation of Augustinian life in community, as conceived in St. Augustine’s Rule, is predicated on the human dignity and equality of all persons regardless of prior

“Helping poor people is an expression of our faith which understands that it is God who feeds and nurtures us, and who desires to provide the same attention for the poor people of the world through us.” — St. Augustine, Sermon 39, 4

The Order of St. Augustine is dedicated to social justice worldwide. There is a special focus on the African continent, especially in the nations south of the Sahara where needs are most urgent, aggravated by the AIDS crisis, scarcity of food and political and social instability. Here is a sampling of Augustinian projects:

u A new scholastic center now under construction at New Karu, Nigeria.

u Two multi-purpose outpatient clinics, one in Karu and the other at Kurmi, Nigeria.

u A nursery school for 800 children and a residential school for 600 pupils at Mararaba, Nigeria.

u Expansion of the Catholic Church School in Babadogo on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

u The Centre for Assistance and Care of AIDS and Tuberculosis Sufferers also in Babadogo.

u Campaign against famine in Dessa-Zoume (Republic of Benin).

Augustinian Humanitarian Projects in Africa

state or condition of life, which gives rise to respect for individual differences and needs, and maintains reverence

for the rights and responsibilities of each one.

Br. Kirk views the NGO Conference, attended by some 2,500 people, and the smaller Augustinian course as two experiences that complemented each other.

“The U.N. NGO Conference was incredibly impressive in its scale and diversity, with people from all over the world coming together to share experiences, challenge the status quo and give each other hope,” he says.

“The smaller Augustinian course does the same but on a more human, personal scale. The course helped me contextualize my religious life as being completely consistent with the promotion of

justice and peace. It served to help me construct a sort of organic bridge between what goes on within my community to what happens at my apostolate to what might happen in future endeavors. The course was a wonderful way to see what’s happening around the world and then carry these impressions to my life at home.”

Brother Kirk Davis, O.S.A.

Fr. Jerry officiates at baptism.