August 28: Solemnity of Saint Augustine, Bishop.

Today, the entire Order celebrates with particular solemnity the liturgical memorial of Saint Augustine, to whose Rule the then Institute of John of God was subjected in 1572, with the Bull Licet ex debito of Saint Pius V, Pope.

St. Augustine, born in Tagaste in 354, had a multifaceted personality because he was a monk, bishop, philosopher, and theologian; in short, he was a great intellectual of his time. His introspective search for truth as the foundation of knowledge of oneself and of God led him to a profound reflection on the concept of peace, which is as valid as ever in our context today, where conflicts continue to challenge human dignity and social cohesion. According to Augustine, the roots of peace were, and remain valid for us today: justice, the order of love, dialogue, and forgiveness.

From a just disposition of wills among individuals and communities, dialogue arises and a coexistence based on truth and the good of others begins. The parties can dialogue with openness, trust, and a willingness to forgive. Loving one's neighbor, even one's adversary, becomes a concrete way to overcome conflicts and transform differences into constructive encounters.

St. John of God added an operational dimension to this perspective: peace is a daily practice of care and service to the vulnerable. The ethics of care, hospitality, and mediation between different cultures become a ground for reconciliation and coexistence. Charity, hospitality, assistance to the poor, and dialogue between religions are languages that transform distance into encounter and violence into opportunities for reconciliation.

In the vision of St. Augustine and St. John of God, “Fathers of the Order,” peace is a creative force capable of building bridges between different people and communities and transforming conflicts into fields of collaboration.