The love of God, as Augustine love to quote, "has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 5:5), and it is expressed in love of strangers as well as friends. It flows especially, of course, toward those in need.

The life of Saint Augustine and his call to servant leadership reminds us that we all have God-given gifts and talents, and our purpose, fulfillment, and joy comes from offering them back in loving service to God and to our neighbor

– Message to the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, Aug 2025

Trust, but verify – truth is imperative:

Always seek the truth. God is truth, and he calls us as a community to be seekers of this same truth.

– Message to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Chitré, Panama, 2020

Speaking of human solidarity:

You might have people say, "Oh, I have an experience of God, and I don't have to do anything else." Well, then that's probably not an authentic experience of God, because as we know from the Gospels, as we know from the apostolic letters, if you love God then you also need to be showing that by loving your neighbor, and the two go hand in hand.

and of vocation:

In these terms, Augustine encouraged Christians to infuse the earthly society with the values f God's kingdom, thereby directing history toward its ultimate fulfillment in God, while also allowing for authentic human flourishing in this life. The theological vision can anchor us in the face of today's changing currents: the emergence of new centers of gravity, the shifting of old alliances, and the unprecedented influence of global corporations and technologies, not to mention numerous violent conflicts. The crucial question before us believers, therefore, is this: How can we accomplish this task? . . . In your vocation as Catholic lawmakers and public servants, you are called to be bridge-builders between the City of God and the City of man

– Address to Catholic legislators, Aug, 2025.

On poverty / charity:

"Let all your hope be in God: Feel your need for him, and let him fill that need. Without him, whatever you possess will only make you all the more empty" (Expositions of the Psalms 85.3)

On the parable of the workers in the vineyard

Today's Christian might think, "Why start work immediately? If the pay is the same, why work more?" Saint Augustine responds to these doubts, saying: "Why then do you put off him that calls you, certain as you are of the reward, but uncertain of the day? Take heed then lest perhaps hat he is to give you by promise, you take for yourself by delay" (Sermon 37.8).

– General audience, June, 2025.

On community and collaboration:

The desire to work together for a common purpose reflects an essential reality: No on is Christian alone! We are part of a people, a Body established by the Lord . . . The Christian life is not lived in isolation, as a kind of intellectual or sentimental experience, confined to the mind and the heart. It is lived with others, in a group and in community, because the risen Christ is present wherever disciples gather in his name.

– Address to the Moderators of Lay Associations, Ecclesial Movements, and New Communities, June, 2025.

Be generous in sharing what you learn and what you experience, as best you can and however you can. Do not hesitate to share the joy and amazement born of your contemplation of the "seeds" that, in the words of Saint Augustine, God has sown in the harmony of the universe (see On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis 5.23, 44-45).

On singing (see Tolkien):

Saint Augustine, speaking of the chant of the Easter Alleluia, said: "So now, my dear brothers and sisters, let us sing. . . . In the way travelers are in the habit of singing; sing, but keep on walking. . . . Make some progress, make progress in goodness. . . . Sing, and keep on walking. Don't stray off the road, don't go back, don't stay where you are" (Sermon 256.3)

from the Rule of Saint Augustine:

And do not charge yourselves with ill-will when you bring this offense [of your brother] to light. Indeed, yours is the greater blame if you allow your brother to be lost through your silence when you are able to bring about their correction by your disclosure.

related