Get to Know the Augustinian Order – June 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian.  The Rule of St. Augustine of Hippo,  one of the earliest guides for religious life,  was written about 400 AD.  It provides the framework of the Augustinian order.   Here is an overview of the Rule of Saint Augustine.

I: Purpose and Basis of Common Life:  “Let all of you then live together in oneness of mind and heart, mutually honoring God in yourselves, whose temples you have become.”   II: Prayer: “When you pray to God in Psalms and hymns, think over in your hearts the words that come from your lips.”  III: Moderation and Self Denial:  “It is better to suffer a little want than to have too much.” IV: Safeguarding Chastity, and Fraternal Correction:  “You should not seek to please by your apparel, but by a good life.” V: The Care of Community Goods and Treatment of the Sick: “no one shall perform any task for his own benefit, but all your work shall be done for the common good, (and) care of the sick shall be assigned to a brother who can personally obtain whatever he sees is necessary or call a doctor.”   VI: Asking Pardon and Forgiving Offenses: “ Whenever discipline requires you to speak harshly even if you think you have been unduly harsh, you are not required to ask forgiveness lest, by practicing too great humility toward those who should be your subjects, the authority to rule is undermined.”  VII: Governance and Obedience: “It is by being obedient that you show mercy toward yourselves (and) toward the superior whose higher rank exposes him to greater peril (of not being obedient to God).”  

As the papacy of Leo XIV evolves, expect to see the Rules of St. Augustine, as well as the teachings of Leo XIII, infused within his teachings.

Next week: Pope Leo XIII and Catholic Social Teaching.