 The province of the United States of America increased in the end of the 19th century as the Augustinians were driven out of many European countries, and in 1848 sought refuge in the USA.The province numbered 200 members in 1900.The largest convent was then at Villanova, Pennsylvania; it was also the novitiate for North America, and among the 117 religious then occupying the convent 21 were priests.