The Province
The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, filled with missionary zeal, proclaims the Gospel in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Peru, and Venezuela, building a future with joy and a spirit of recollection.
Origin
The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, formerly called Andalusia, was founded on November 23, 1621, in the context of the first General Chapter of the Augustinian Recollection. In 1835, the Order ceased to have convents in Spain due to the confiscation processes in force at that time, which marked a new stage in its history. Its restoration began with the Decree of October 15, 1907, which erected the Hispano-American Province of Our Lady of the Pillar, and culminated on June 10, 1909, when it recovered its former name and new limits were indicated.
Since then, the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova has resumed the spirit of its origins, reorganizing community life, strengthening formation, and opening up to new fields of evangelization. Its recent history is that of a province that, born of a painful but hopeful restoration, grows, renews itself, and gives itself, always faithful to the Augustinian Recollect charism and to the service of the Gospel.
Mission
The mission of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova is born from the desire to live and announce the Gospel with a profoundly fraternal, simple, and God-centered life. We are a community called by the Spirit to follow Christ together, sharing prayer, listening to the Word, and the sincere search for truth. From this common life—made of diversity, dialogue, and trust—we want to be a presence of communion in the Church, available to stay or leave wherever we are most needed, especially alongside the poor.
From our communities, we serve in parishes, missions, schools, and social works, always with a grateful and austere heart, sharing our gifts and what we have. Our mission is sustained in prayer, study, and community discernment, and is oriented to building the Kingdom with hope. As missionary disciples, we want to live our vocation with joy, encourage provincial unity, and walk together towards God, so that each apostolic work may be a living testimony of charity, justice, and the presence of Christ among the most needy.
Coat of Arms of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova
The Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova is one of the living roots of the Augustinian Recollection. Today it accompanies communities in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Peru and Venezuela. Having its Provincial Curia in Brazil.
The Province is organized into four vicariates —Argentina, Spain, Peru and Venezuela— and develops its mission by announcing the Gospel and serving the people of God with the spirit of Saint Augustine: simplicity, interiority and fraternal love.
Prior Provincial
The Prior Provincial is a father, teacher, and brother to all the religious of the province. His service does not consist of commanding from above, but in
The Prior Provincial presides over and animates the life of the entire province, assisted by his council. His mission is to promote unity, care for religious life, accompany each brother, and ensure the constant renewal of the province. The Constitutions indicate that he should be distinguished by his prudence, spiritual life, love for the Order, and his capacity to organize and serve with dedication.
During his service, the Prior Provincial listens to the brothers, discerns destinations and missions, promotes vocational ministry, and especially cares for initial and ongoing formation, as the future vitality of the province depends on it. He is also responsible for maintaining communion with the Order and with the Church, ensuring that the life of the province always reflects the Gospel that we proclaim.
Friar Javier Tello Vegas, Prior Provincial.
Friar Francisco Javier Tello Vegas was born in Hernán-Pérez (Cáceres, Spain). He joined the Order at a young age and completed his formation in Salamanca and Madrid, where he studied Philosophy, Theology, and Catechesis before professing as an Augustinian Recollect and beginning his pastoral service.
He has developed his ministry in Spain, Venezuela, Rome, and Brazil, working in parishes, schools, and various government services. He accompanied communities in Caracas and Palmira as a formator, pastoral leader, and vicar, and later served in the General Curia of the Order in Rome as Secretary General.
In recent years, he served as vicar of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova in Brazil, where he was also prior and accompanied the life of the community. In 2022, he was elected Prior Provincial, a mission he lives with a fraternal spirit, closeness, and a desire to encourage the religious to follow Christ with hope and joy.
Provincial Curia
The Provincial Council is formed by the Prior Provincial and four councilors. Together they have the mission of animating and guiding the life of the province, faithfully applying the Constitutions and the decisions of the Provincial Chapter, always at the service of the common good.
The provincial councilors accompany the Prior Provincial and put the gifts that God has entrusted to them at the service of the province. They stand out for their prudence, spiritual life, and love for the Order. They not only help in government decisions, but also sustain the life of the communities, coordinate the provincial bodies, and collaborate in the organization of the mission.
Their work is supported by fraternal communion, dialogue, and co-responsibility, seeking that each house and each religious live the Augustinian Recollect charism with authenticity. Thus, the Provincial Council ensures the unity, formation, mission, and continuous renewal of the province, keeping it always faithful to the Gospel and to its identity.
Provincial Council
Friar Simón Puertas Pérez
Friar Danilo Janegitz
Friar Alcimar Fioresi
Friar Marcus Vinicius
Where are we?
The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova is present in five countries: Spain in Europe, and Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Venezuela in Latin America. In each of these places, our Recollect mission accompanies, evangelizes, and serves, taking Christ—our hope—wherever the Church sends us.