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J. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B.

Father Augustine Wetta is the author of PRAY.  THINK. ACT. , THE EIGHTH ARROW and HUMILITY RULES (which has been translated into five languages and sold over 100,000 copies!). He is a monk of Saint Louis Abbey in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he teaches high school and coaches rugby. He has degrees from Oxford University, Rice University, and Middlebury College. Father Augustine grew up on a tropical island, where he learned to surf and was nearly eaten by a shark. He has also worked as a professional juggler, beach patrol lifeguard and archaeologist. During his spare time, he raises carnivorous plants, carpenter ants, and makes armor.

PRAY. THINK. ACT.

Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers

(coming soon...)

 

HUMILITY RULES

Saint Benedict's twelve-step guide to genuine self-esteem

 

THE EIGHTH ARROW

a fantasy prison break set in Dante's Inferno

 

SAVING GRACE

A children's book about a turtle with three legs...and a wheel.

 

ABOUT SAINT LOUIS ABBEY

Saint Louis Abbey was founded in 1954, but its lineage goes back much, much further. In fact, ours is the oldest congregation of the oldest order in the world. Many of our traditions, including of course our rule, our liturgy, and our chant, go back to the fifth century and earlier. It is in this context that the monks carry out their first work of seeking God in community.

In 1954, Saint Louis Abbey comprised two monks and their superior. Today, we number more than thirty, of whom more than a third are in formation. We pray that with your help and by the grace of God, our monks will continue to grow in numbers and holiness and that our students, alumni, and parishioners will serve God humbly and faithfully.

CONTACT FATHER AUGUSTINE

Father Augustine can be booked to speak.  However, he teaches Monday-Thursday at The Priory School, so he is far more likely to be available for weekend events.  The fee is whatever you think he's worth* though you have to get him there (and another monk, if possible.  Better to travel in twos...)         

*Admittedly, the abbot is more likely to give permission to leave the cloister if the work is helping to support the community.  So the "suggested donation" is $3,000...which seems a bit stiff to Father Augustine, but then again, he hasn't earned a salary in 25 years. Alternatively, he will Skype with your book club or youth group for free!     

Come by Saint Louis Abbey, and Father Augustine will be delighted to take you on a tour.  Once you get him out of the cloister, he will talk about pretty much anything, but his favorite talks include...

 

 

PRAY. THINK. ACT. 

    Make Better Decisions...with the Desert Fathers

THE ENVY OF ANGELS

     How to make the most of your Eucharistic Journey.

See a review here.

CRISIS CONVERTED: A BENEDICTINE GUIDE TO HOPE

     Advice drawn from Benedictine wisdom on how to navigate these "uncertain times".

UMAR LEE AND ME: A CATHOLIC DIALOGUE WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER

      Saint Louis has been called "the broken heart of America."   Jesus has the power to "heal the broken hearted and bind up all their wounds." 

DON'T FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

    Saint Benedict's fifth-century guide to humility offers the antidote to the epidemic of stress and depression overwhelming modern young adults. But the language of The Rule of Saint Benedict is medieval, and its most passionate advocates are cloistered monks and nuns. How then does this ancient wisdom translate into advice for ordinary people?

 

FAIL!  LIFE LESSONS FROM LOSERS, HAS-BEENS, NOBODIES, AND OTHER GREAT SAINTS

    Saint John the Baptist wore home-made clothes and ate bugs, Saint Edward the Confessor was one of the worst politicians in history, Saint Philippine Duchesne was a missionary who converted no one…and that’s just the beginning.  The Catholic Church has a long, rich tradition of failure, and you can be part of it!  Virtue won’t necessarily lead to success, but it may make you a saint.

 

HOW TO BE A PART-TIME MONK

    You are designed to “be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mat 5:34).  But that’s impossible.  You are designed “to pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). But how?  The ancient monks of the Egyptian Desert discovered a long-forgotten—and surprisingly easy—way to do both.

HOW TO NEVER LOSE AN ARGUMENT--AND STILL KEEP YOUR FRIENDS! 

    Apologetics...monk style!

THE HISTORY OF FANTASY

    The art of "Mythopoeia,”  from Homer to (ahem) Wetta.

500 South Mason Road

Creve Ceour

Saint Louis, MO 63141

www.stlouisabbey.org

Tel: 314-434-2557X213

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