Augustinians elect Philadelphia-area native as new prior general

PHILADELPHIA (OSV News) -- Pope Leo XIV's fellow Augustinians have elected a Philadelphia-area native as the order's new prior general.

The order's Province of St. Thomas of Villanova announced in a Sept. 9 media release that Augustinian Father Joseph L. Farrell had been chosen "after much prayer and reflection" and "under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

The election took place Sept. 9 in Rome during the order's 188th general chapter, with 73 brothers with voting rights participating, the Augustinian order noted on its main website.

Father Farrell, who had until the election served as the order's vicar general as well as general assistant for North America, will succeed Father Alejandro Moral Antón, becoming the 98th prior general of the order, which was founded in 13th-century Italy.

Born in 1963 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Father Farrell attended Catholic elementary and high schools, then went on to receive his bachelor of science degree in business administration at Villanova University, one of the nation's two Augustinian institutions of higher learning -- and Pope Leo XIV's own alma mater.

Father Farrell entered the Augustinian novitiate in 1985, the same year he graduated Villanova, professing his first vows two years later and his solemn vows in 1990. He completed his master's degree in theology at Washington Theological Union and was ordained to the priesthood in 1991. Following studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he obtained his licentiate and doctorate in sacred theology in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

His pastoral assignments over the years have included parish, high school and college campus ministry, along with teaching and administrative positions at Villanova. In 2010, he was elected a counselor of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, and in 2013, he became the order's vicar general and assistant general for North America.

The St. Thomas province and "the whole order are so proud," said prior provincial Father Robert Hagan, adding that "Father Joe has served the order in many ways for so many years."

Now, added Father Hagan, "he leads us all as the Augustinian Good Shepherd, helping us to stay one in mind and heart intent upon God."

"At this time, we give thanks to God for our dedicated and committed servant leader, and offer prayers for wisdom, strength, and grace as he exercises this important responsibility on behalf of our Order and the Church," said the province in its release.