Br Augustine serves as Deacon for Pope Francis

Br Augustine served as deacon for Pope Francis at Vespers at the Papal Basilica of St Paul's outside the walls in Rome on January 25th, the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. 

For centuries the main basilicas in Rome were served by monks. Over time the monastic communities disappeared. St Paul's is unique in being still served by a Benedictine community.

Popes traditionally visit the Basilica to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Pope Francis emphasised the theme of hospitality. 

“From this Week of Prayer we want to learn to be more hospitable, in the first place among ourselves as Christians and among our brothers and sisters of different confessions,” he said.

“Among Christians as well, each community has a gift to offer to the others. The more we look beyond partisan interests and overcome the legacies of the past in the desire to move forward towards a common landing place, the more readily we will recognize, welcome and share these gifts,” Pope Francis said.