With a major, first-class relic of one of Catholic Christianity’s most important figures on loan from the Vatican to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine, a three-day Mission will be offered from Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22.

Father Art Purcaro, an Augustinian monk from the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova headquartered in Philadelphia, will be the Mission Preacher. Services are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. the three days the mission will be held.

“It’s a great opportunity for all Christians to get to know better the life of Augustine and his teachings,” the Cathedral Basilica’s rector, Fr. Tom Willis, said in announcing the Mission. “And Father Art comes with some of the highest recommendations I have seen for a Mission in some time!”

Father Purcaro made his profession as a member of the Augustinian religious order in 1968 and was ordained a priest in 1975. For 27 years he served extensively in his order’s mission in Peru. He also was elected to central government for the order going to Rome where we worked and ministered for 12 years.

Each day of the Mission will have a specific focus. On Monday, Father Purcaro will make a presentation on Augustine’s theology of grace and Tuesday will focus on Augustine’s writings, especially Confessions and City of God. On Wednesday, the Mission will conclude with an address on Augustine’s beliefs on the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The sacrament of penance will be available during the Mission. Time to venerate the relic of Saint Augustine of Hippo will be available during the 7 p.m. services only. Father Willis extends an invitation to all in the community to attend the Mission.

For more information, please call the Cathedral offices at (904) 824-2806.