Fr. Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A.
Prior Provincial
and the Augustinian Friars of the
Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova
cordially invite you to the diaconate ordination of
ELIZANDRO MARTÍN CONTRERAS, O.S.A.
and the priesthood ordination of
DANIEL LEO MADDEN, O.S.A.
through the Imposition of Hands and Prayer of Ordination by
THE MOST REVEREND NELSON PÉREZ
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Saturday, October 10, 2020
10:30 AM
Saint Thomas of Villanova Church
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Br. Elizandro Martín Contreras, O.S.A.
I was 18 years old when I started to think seriously about my vocation and religious life. I was born in an Augustinian parish. What the friars did was always attractive to me, but it wasn’t until my best friend, Jose Osvaldo Peña, who joined the Augustinian community, invited me to look at Augustinian life, and the possibility of joining the community. Many friars in our provinces motivated me to continue searching deeply about my calling. But very early in the process Father Francisco De Leon, O.S.A., for many reasons, was a great example of an Augustinian who encouraged me to make the decision to become an Augustinian. He was a hard worker and friendly priest. My Catholic roots are based on strong values. Since I was a child, I was involved in Church life, so my family’s faith and its relationship with the Church played an important role in my decision to join religious life. Everything in life has its difficulties and challenges. In my process of discernment, facing myself in my whole reality, seeing myself as a sinner, confronting my weaknesses, and accepting and loving myself is a challenge that I have had to face in the process of discernment. Having the feeling of being welcomed, validated and supported by the community is something that I really enjoy. Being a pastor is very attractive to me because it involves service and closeness with the people of God. But my disposition is to do what I have to do in order to cover the needs of our province. My goal is to serve.
Deacon Daniel Leo Madden, O.S.A.
My vocation began when Father Kevin DePrinzio, O.S.A., invited me to join an upcoming discernment retreat my senior year at Villanova. After college I continued to spend time with friars who, through our relationships, fostered my vocation. Father Joe Mostardi, O.S.A., and Father Joe Farrell, O.S.A., were particularly important during that time. With them, I began to see where God was calling me. My family’s support and encouragement also affirmed my decision to enter the Augustinian Order. My time as a pre-novice, with Father Joe Mostardi, O.S.A., and Father Frank Doyle, O.S.A., leading me, began the process of forming me into the Augustinian I am now and the one I hope to be in the future. The formation process continues to deepen my understanding of the Order and my life in community and God. It’s a great blessing to be surrounded by so many genuine and caring brothers, who each day show me how to be a better person. Formation has taught me that, no matter what I do as an Augustinian, I will have an incredible foundation of God and community from which to work.
Br. Elizandro Contreras, O.S.A. and Deacon Daniel Madden, O.S.A. made their perpetual profession of vows to Prior Provincial Fr. Michael F. DiGregorio, O.S.A. on December 21, 2019. The ceremony was held at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, on the Villanova University campus, and welcomed the families of both men, who were also made affiliates to the Order.
Deacon Dan, age 31, attended Villanova University as an undergraduate, where he first encountered the Augustinian Friars. Br. Elizandro, age 41, first met the Augustinians as a child in the Dominican Republic, where one of his best friends also joined the Order.
“To really listen to the deeper call requires patience, prayer, and dialogue with others.”
“My disposition is to do what I have to do in order to cover the needs of our province. My goal is to serve.”
For questions, please contact:
Andrew McKeough, Assistant Director of Engagement
andrew.mckeough@augustinian.org
(610) 527-3330, ext. 260