Father and Friend: Get to Know Our Chaplain Fr. Auggie

“You are the only priest I’ve known at my school” is the kind of statement that Father Augustine DeArmond, O.P. (Fr. Auggie) hears on our campus as he enjoys his 8^thyear of service to our school community. Fr. Auggie is our dedicated chaplain and a true member of the SAA-SDS family.  As chaplain, he is the celebrant of our weekly masses, leads retreats and reconciliations, and meets any other sacramental needs of the school. Passionate about our mission and our students, he works diligently to deepen our students’ faith and their relationship with God.

Born and raised in Louisiana into a large Sicilian and Cajun-French family, Fr. Auggie holds a Master of Arts in English, with a concentration in Professional Writing from Southeastern Louisiana University, as well a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity from Aquinas Institute of Theology. In addition to serving as our school chaplain, he is the pastor of St. Peter Church in downtown Memphis. He is a gifted writer and preacher, and we are blessed that he is a fixture in our students’ lives.

As we observe Catholic Schools Week from February 1-5, we celebrate Fr. Auggie’s place in our community and his vocation story. In a recent conversation with him, we learned a bit more about what his Dominican Life and the SAA-SDS connection mean to him.

What is it like to be a part of the Dominican community?

It is like any other family. We have our traditions and activities that we share together. We come together multiple times daily for prayer, we have meals together, and spend recreation time together (watching TV or playing games). We have a heritage, and it is shared worldwide. I once went to Cairo and there were about 17 Dominicans there, most having never met, and we were able to come together in prayer and understand each other instantly.

What about your partnership with our school brings you joy?

I love the opportunity to build new relationships outside of St. Peter parish.  I have developed true friendships on this campus.

What do you believe is the role of education in growing closer to God?

God is all knowing and all good knowledge comes from him. When we learn, we come to understand him, are able to give ourselves over to him, and to know him and his creation better. We should use our gift of reason and take advantage of education.

What would you want students to know?

Use discernment and let go of the misconception that our lives have to be difficult to follow God’s call toward our vocation. We don’t always have to wrestle with the call to vocation. Something that makes you happy, makes you comfortable, brings you joy, can be your vocation. We all have a vocation!

Our students wanted to know a little more about Fr. Auggie too! Below are questions from our  St. Agnes 3^rdand 4^thgrade students.

When did you become a priest?

I entered the order at age 27, and I was ordained a priest at age 33.

How did you become a priest? 

Everyone has a vocation. You just have to figure out what God is calling you to do. It started with me getting to know a lot of different priests and religious, and then I decided that the Dominicans were my favorites!

Is it fun being a priest?

Absolutely!

Is it scary having everyone look at you during church?

Not anymore! After a while it becomes very natural. It’ just like being a reader or an altar server, the more you do it the less scared you are.

What is your favorite thing about God?

He loves us enough to take on our individual natures, and to show us to be like him and become holier ourselves.

What are your weekends like?

On Saturday I usually met with wedding couples, finish prepping my homily, then I say mass and maybe officiate a wedding. If I do everything right on Saturday, then on Sunday, I have time to work on other things and of course say my two masses.

What do you do to prepare to say mass?

I spend a lot of time studying the readings for that weekend. I wonder, what is the theme in the word that day. And I think, if I were coming to attend mass today, what would I be seeking from it?

Do you work with nuns?

Occasionally, but not every day. I am the Bishop’s representative for all religious communities serving our diocese, so I do get to work with a lot of different people.

Who or what encouraged you to become a priest?

My grandfather always supported me and encouraged me to consider a religious life. I also had a mentor in college, a diocesan priest, who had so many interests-philosophy and other things. He helped me to discover that you can be a priest and also be a person with your own interests.

What is your favorite . . .

Color?  Blue

Food?  Any Cajun/creole cuisine

Sport to watch?  College football

Favorite book you read as a kid?  Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. After I read it, I had to get a turtle!