The Order of St. Augustine was established in 1256. From that point it grew quickly throughout Europe and the world. The story of the Augustinians in the United States began in 1796 when a 41 year old Irish Augustinian, Matthew Carr set sail for Philadelphia where he established the first Augustinian Community in North America. Throughout the 20th century the Augustinians of the United States continued to grow, establishing parishes and schools across the country. And just as the Irish friars answered the call to establish a mission in the United States, so have our Augustinians answered the same missionary call establishing missions in Japan after World War II, Peru and South Africa. Augustinians today still teach, preach, and do outreach work to the disenfranchised throughout our Province and in the third world. They invite you to join with them and be part of something powerful!