Quoting Saint Augustine—“Do not have your heart in your ears, but your ears in your heart”—the Pope stressed the importance of listening in a synodal Church.
Newsroom (29/08/2025, Gaudium Press )Marking the Solemnity of Saint Augustine, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova in the United States, urging Christians to listen to God’s loving voice as the path to true peace. The message, delivered on August 28, 2025, coincided with the conferral of the Saint Augustine Medal, an honor the Pope said he holds dear, reflecting his deep connection to Augustinian spirituality.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Pope Leo recalled the legacy of Saint Thomas of Villanova, the 16th-century Augustinian friar and bishop known as the “father of the poor,” whose namesake parish anchors the province. “To be recognized as an Augustinian is an honor held dearly,” the Pope said. “So much of who I am I owe to the spirit and teachings of Saint Augustine.”
The Pope reflected on Augustine’s transformative journey, marked by “trial and error” yet guided by grace, the prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, and the support of his community. This path, he noted, led Augustine to find peace for his “restless heart” and serves as a model for all Christians to offer their God-given gifts in service to others.
A Legacy of Service in Philadelphia
Highlighting the Augustinians’ historical presence in Philadelphia, one of the oldest Catholic communities in the United States, Pope Leo praised the missionary zeal of early Augustinian priests like Fathers Matthew Carr and John Rossiter, who served immigrants in the late 18th century. He called on the faithful to continue this legacy of loving service, emphasizing Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor. “Look at one another with the eyes of Christ,” he urged, “and rediscover our identity as sisters and brothers in Him.”
Quoting Saint Augustine—“Do not have your heart in your ears, but your ears in your heart”—the Pope stressed the importance of listening in a synodal Church. He encouraged the Augustinian family to heed the Holy Spirit, one another, and especially the voices of the poor, filtering out the “noise and division” of the world to hear God’s voice, which he described as the sole source of peace.
A Call to Build a Community of Love
In closing, Pope Leo entrusted the Augustinian Province to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, praying that they continue to build a community “one in mind and heart, intent upon God.” He expressed hope that God’s peace would guide their restless hearts, enabling them to share His love with the world.
The Pope’s message resonates as a call to action for all Christians to embody the Augustinian values of veritas, unitas, caritas—truth, unity, and charity—in a world yearning for peace and solidarity.
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