Rome, Italy – The General Curia of the Order of Saint Augustine is organizing an International Congress to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which will be held from November 9 to 11, 2017 at the Augustinian Patristic Institute in Rome.

The Protestant Reformation was initiated by Fr. Martin Luther, a German friar and priest belonging to the Augustinian Observantine Congregation of Saxony. Although his reform efforts eventually led to a significant split in the Church, Luther’s initial actions were part of a broader reform movement within the Augustinian Order. This same movement also produced distinguished figures such as Saint Thomas of Villanova, a Spanish friar known for his charity and intellectual contributions, and Girolamo Seripando, an Italian Prior General who actively participated in the Council of Trent. Both were contemporaries of Luther and represented the Order’s deep theological and spiritual tradition during a time of great ecclesial transformation.

The upcoming Congress aims to provide a deeper understanding of the Reformation’s historical context, especially the role of the Augustinian Order and its members during this critical period. It is open to all interested participants, with no registration fees required.

Representing the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu – Philippines at the Congress are Fr. Jerome P. Mesina, OSA, Fr. Jose Rene C. Delariarte, OSA, and Fr. Nelson G. Zerda, OSA.

This gathering offers a timely opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to the Order’s mission of truth, unity, and charity in today’s world.