OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

NEWS & EVENTS

Special Mass Celebrates Life of Saint Augustine

The college's Augustinian friars and members of the Merrimack community gathered for a special Mass Aug. 29 to honor the man whose writings influenced the development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy, St. Augustine of Hippo.

The Feast Of Our Holy Father marks the date in the year 430 A.D. that Augustine died at age 76 in the city of Hippo Regius, in Roman North Africa, where he had served as bishop for 35 years. 

“Augustine is such a great saint to have as the spiritual father of our community; he had so much in common with us,” said Father Raymond Dlugos, OSA, Merrimack’s vice president of mission and ministry.

“Before St. Augustine found and experienced God loving him deeply and completely, he was a student and a teacher who tried to rely on his own abilities to become someone important,” Dlugos added “That left him miserable, unfulfilled and unhappy. But once he surrendered to God’s grace, he found his life deeply enriched with a search for truth and wisdom, which in turn led him to unity with others in love and service. All that we are at Merrimack follows his lead.”

Augustine left behind nearly 5 million written words in the form of books, letters and homilies. His writings have been a major part of the foundation of all of Western civilization, and especially the theology and spirituality of the Catholic Church. 

Major works, such as the “Confessions,” “On the Trinity” and the “City of God” are counted among the greatest intellectual achievements in human history.

Following Monday’s Mass in the Chapel of Our Mother of Good Counsel, the community gathered for a light lunch in the foyer and on the porch of Austin Hall.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Related News

Photo of the ten inaugural Pioneer Scholars posing with plaques commemorating their scholarship.

First Pioneer Scholars cohort graduate Merrimack College

The program has issued full scholarships to 10 Lawrence High School students each year since 2019.
Photo of Nicholas Barber accepting the Merrimack Medal from Provost John “Sean” Condon.

Merrimack Medal Winner Reflects on Time at College

The Merrimack Medal is the College’s highest non-academic award, and is given to the graduating senior who exemplifies outstanding character and achievement of service to their classmates and the Merrimack College community.
Inyene Essien-Aleksi

A Call to Serve for Merrimack College Nursing Professor

An assistant professor of nursing, Inyene Essien-Aleksi joined Merrimack College in fall 2022, and brings extensive years of clinical experience as well as research work in opioid use disorder and treatment access.