Augustinian Press was founded in 1983 by the Augustinian Friars of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova (Eastern Province) to promote knowledge, appreciation and understanding of St. Augustine and the Augustinian Legacy. The Press was the inspiration of Fr. John Rotelle, O.S.A., who was its head and only full time scholar until his untimely death in 2002. His vision brought St. Augustine, Augustinian saints and contemporary works on Augustine and Augustinian spirituality to the modern world. He also founded the Augustinian Heritage Institute to translate the latest critical editions of the works St. Augustine into English. With declining numbers of friars and increasing pressures from 21st century society, we Augustinians are called to respond to the Holy Spirit in such a way that our ministry to the Gospel and the Church is as creative and effective as possible. The real inspiration for the renewal of the Press is our call to use all of our talents to preach the Gospel, to preach to this fractured world that BECAUSE OF JESUS, GOD IS HERE! In our books and pamphlets, in the art of several generations of American Augustinians, in the music of praise composed and performed by Augustinians, in recordings of inspirational retreat talks and homilies, we can indeed be inspired to lift our hearts to our God who is here among us. As so beautifully put by Fr. Richard Cannuli, O.S.A., in the "artists" section of out web site, "Art is not a metaphor for creation; it is the continuation of its presence. In creativity we begin to know the Creator." And so our vision is to continue with the work of preaching the "Good News" as creatively as possible. We will attempt to do this in a number of creative ways, with all proceeds from the Press going directly to assist the work of the Province, particularly the support of the aged and infirm Augustinians.