HERITAGE FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE
Augustinians are the spiritual descendants of Saint Augustine (354-430), one of the
great thinkers of Christianity. Augustine is known for his leadership in the
resolution of major theological controversies of his day and his untiring pastoral
ministry as Priest and Bishop in Hippo (now called Annaba, Algeria). Augustine also
valued prayer, the study of Sacred Scripture and sharing his Christian journey with
others by living in community with persons seeking to be united in mind and heart on
the way to God.
Many groups, inspired by Augustine’s ideas, formed communities similar to
Augustine’s. The Rule of Saint Augustine, written to give direction to these early
religious communities, continues to guide the community life of Augustinians today.
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ORIGINS OF ORDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
The Order of Saint Augustine was officially founded in 1244, when Pope Innocent IV
united into one Religious Order many diverse communities which were following the
Rule of Saint Augustine. Several more independent groups were joined to the new
Order in 1256. This new Order of Saint Augustine came to be popularly called
“Augustinians”.
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