HOW DOES THE AUGUSTINIAN CATHOLIC TRADITION INFLUENCE RESEARCH AND TEACHING?

St. Augustine was an inquiring mind with a passionate heart, much like Villanovans today.  

He fiercely pursued knowledge, not just for the sake of achievement, but to gain a deeper understanding of truth. He also recognized that this quest for wisdom was not a solo pursuit; it was most fruitful and fulfilling when done in the company of others—in community. 

Over the course of his life, he practiced and recognized the importance of both humility and self-reflection, reviewing and revising his own published works with an eye toward the common good. For him, matters of pride and ego were not a question, for they could not exist alongside wisdom. St. Augustine lived from 354 AD to 430 AD, and yet his works and spirit still influence the way we research and teach at Villanova today. The University’s Augustinian Institute ensures this connection to the tradition, through its dedication to promoting, preserving and protecting St. Augustine’s legacy.

The Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is steeped in humility, creativity and collaboration. These are the very principles that have shaped research, teaching and learning here at Villanova. Since our founding, we’ve worked to foster a welcoming environment of mutual respect. 

Each and every one of us contributes to creating a community where students and faculty work shoulder-to-shoulder to address some of the world’s most pressing issues. Our faculty members hold many years of dedicated experience and expertise, with more than 88% of full-time faculty holding a terminal degree in their field. In addition to their expertise in their field, faculty center the Augustinian mission in their work. Their ongoing efforts are supported by the Office for Mission and Ministry, which offers mission-based programming for faculty.

In true Augustinian fashion, faculty bring their unique talents and expertise to their work as teachers, learners, researchers and collaborators, alongside colleagues and students. They know that we do our best and most innovative work together, bringing Villanovans, and the world, closer to the truth and wisdom St. Augustine sought all those years ago.