Order of Saint Augustine facts for kids
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Ordo Sancti Augustini
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| Abbreviation | OSA |
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| Formation | 1 March 1244, though has predating history |
| Type | Mendicant religious order of the Catholic Church |
| Purpose | Pastoral work, missions, education, intellectual activity, etc. |
| Headquarters | Basilica of Saint Augustine in Campus Martius |
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Region served
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50 countries in Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania |
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Membership
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2,616 friars (1,852 are priests) As of 2020[update] |
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Motto
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Latin: Anima una et cor unum in Deum English: One mind and one heart intent upon God |
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Prior General
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Alejandro Moral Antón |
| Website | https://www.theaugustinians.com |
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Formerly called
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Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine |
The Order of Saint Augustine (Latin: Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini), also known as the Augustinians, is a religious order within the Catholic Church. They are sometimes called Austin friars or Friars Hermits. The order started in 1244 when several groups of hermits (people who lived alone for religious reasons) in Tuscany, Italy, came together. These groups followed the Rule of Saint Augustine, a set of guidelines for living a religious life written by Saint Augustine of Hippo in the 400s.
The Augustinians have helped spread the special devotion to the Virgin Mary under the name of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Mater boni consilii).
Contents
Understanding the Augustinians
Augustinian friars believe that Saint Augustine of Hippo lived a community life, first with friends and later as a bishop with his clergy (religious leaders). Augustine taught that sharing was important, not just being poor. Their way of life inspired others to follow them.
Instructions for their community life were found in Augustine's writings, especially in De opere monachorum, which was later called the "Rule of St. Augustine". This lifestyle spread across Europe between 430 and 570 AD. In the 1200s, many hermit groups used this Rule. The Augustinian Friars wanted to show a strong connection to Saint Augustine himself, even though there isn't clear historical proof that he founded their specific order.
How the Augustinians Began
Around the early 1200s, many small groups of hermits, often laymen (not priests), appeared in Italy. They focused on living alone and doing penance (showing sorrow for sins). These groups were found in various places like Tuscany, England, and Germany. In 1223, four communities near Siena, Italy, formed a loose group, which grew to thirteen within five years.
Coming Together: The Little Union
The Augustinian friars became part of the mendicant movement in the 1200s. This was a new way of religious life where people lived in cities and helped others, instead of staying in isolated monasteries. In 1243, the hermits in Tuscany asked Pope Innocent IV to unite them. Pope Innocent IV issued a special letter called a "bull" in 1243. This letter encouraged these hermits to follow "the Rule and way of life of the Blessed Augustine" and to choose a leader called a prior general.
The Grand Union: A Bigger Family
On July 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV issued another bull. This one ordered several religious groups to come together and form a new order called the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine. These groups included the Williamites and various Augustinian houses from Italy.
The leaders of these groups met in Rome on March 1, 1256, and officially united. Lanfranc Septala of Milan was chosen as the first prior general of this new, larger Order.
Spreading Across the World
After the Grand Union in 1256, the Augustinian Hermits grew quickly. They spread because they didn't just come from one main monastery. They also adopted a more active life, helping people, similar to the Friars Minor (Franciscans) and the Dominicans.
Within a few years, Augustinian monasteries appeared in Germany and Spain. They also established houses in France. By 1275, there were several friaries (monasteries) along the southern coast of France. At its peak, the order had 42 provinces and about 30,000 members in 2,000 monasteries.
The Augustinian Friars came to Poland in 1358. They faced tough times during the Reformation in the 1500s. Many European Augustinian houses were closed or destroyed during periods of anti-clericalism (opposition to the clergy). After World War I, some German friars moved to North America to teach.
Special Privileges of the Order
Pope Alexander IV gave the order freedom from the control of local bishops. Later, Pope Pius V officially recognized them as a mendicant order. Since the late 1200s, the sacristan (the person in charge of the sacred items) of the Papal Palace has always been an Augustinian friar. This special role was confirmed by Pope Alexander VI in 1497. The sacristan's duties included preparing the consecrated Host for the Pope and accompanying him when he traveled. Augustinian friars still perform some of these duties today.
In 1331, Pope John XXII made the Augustinian Hermits guardians of St. Augustine's tomb in Pavia, Italy.
Movements for Change
In the 1300s, the Augustinian monasteries became less strict. This was due to things like the Black Death (a terrible plague) and the Great Western Schism (a split in the Catholic Church). So, some Augustinians started reform movements to bring back stricter discipline. These groups were called "congregations" and had their own leaders, but they were still under the main Augustinian leader.
The Discalced Augustinians formed in 1588 in Italy as a reform group. They have their own rules. The Augustinian Recollects started in Spain in 1592 with a similar goal. Today, they mostly focus on pastoral care (helping people spiritually).
Augustinians Around the World
The Augustinian friars value learning and science. They have their own printing press and many smart members. They have done a lot of missionary work, spreading their faith in many countries.
Missions in Africa
Augustinians followed Portuguese explorers to Africa in the late 1400s. They started missionary work in places like Mozambique, Ghana, and Angola. As of 2006, there were over 30 Augustinian priories (monasteries) in Nigeria, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Algeria, with over 85 friars. They also work in Benin, Togo, Madagascar, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
Missions in the Americas
Mexico
The first Spanish Augustinians arrived in Mexico in 1533, after the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire. They helped establish the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. By 1562, there were almost 300 Spanish Augustinians in Mexico, with about 50 priories. Their work in Mexico was challenging due to civil unrest and periods when the church was suppressed.
Peru
Spanish Augustinians first went to Peru in 1551. From there, they spread to Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela. They founded the Ecuadorean University of Quito in 1586. Political events in these countries often made it hard for the order to grow. In the 1800s, the Argentinian government took away much of their property, and they were suppressed for 24 years until 1901.
Cuba
The order arrived in Cuba from Mexico in 1608. They were forced to close in 1842. From 1892, the US province took care of St. Augustine's College in Havana. However, they were expelled by the government in 1961.
Today, Augustinians are still present in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, and Peru.
Missions in Asia
China
In 1577, Martin de Hereda traveled into China to study Chinese culture. Portuguese Augustinians served in the colonial port of Macau from 1586 to 1712. Around 1681, Filipino Augustinian Alvaro de Benevente started the first Augustinian houses in China. He became a bishop and head of a new area called the Vicariate of Kiang-si in 1699.
The Augustinians successfully spread Catholicism, but in 1708, they were forced to leave China due to a controversy. Spanish Augustinians from Manila returned in 1879 to restart missions. By 1947, the Augustinian mission had many baptized Catholics and people preparing for baptism. They had established many churches. However, all foreign missionaries were expelled or imprisoned by the Communist government from 1953. Chinese-born Augustinians were also forced to stop living a monastic life.
Today, Catholicism exists openly in China, and Augustinians have re-established friendly relations with Chinese educational organizations. While there are Chinese Augustinian friars, a priory has not yet been re-established on mainland China.
India
From the 1400s, Portuguese Augustinians expanded greatly in India. They provided sixteen Indian bishops between 1579 and 1840. The order later disappeared in India after Portuguese monasteries were suppressed in 1838.
However, the Augustinians were re-established in India in 1971. The Indian Augustinian group is growing.
Iran
In the late 1500s, Aleixo de Menezes, an Augustinian who became Archbishop of Goa, sent missionaries to Iran (Persia). He also worked to unite Christian groups and convert Muslims in India.
Japan
Augustinian missions in the Philippines sent missionaries to Japan starting in 1602. Several were martyred (killed for their faith) during a time of Christian persecution. These included Ferdinand of Saint Joseph, Andrew Yoshida, and Peter Zuñiga.
Despite early Christian foundations, the Augustinian missions in Japan eventually failed after the repression by Japanese rulers. However, American Augustinian friars returned to Japan in 1954. As of 2006, there are American and Japanese Augustinian friars in Japan.
Missions in Oceania
By the early 1900s, Augustinians established missions in Oceania, including the Ladrones.
Papua and Indonesia
Two Dutch Augustinian friars re-established the order in Papua (now Indonesia) in 1953. In 1956, the order took responsibility for the area that became the Diocese of Manokwari. As of 2006, the Augustinian group in Indonesia has 15 friars with solemn vows and 7 with simple vows. It is now mostly made up of Papuan members and is growing.
Korea
The Augustinian group in Korea was founded in 1985 by Australian, English, and Scottish friars. Filipinos later joined them.
Augustinians Today
Members of the Order work in over 50 countries around the world.
How the Order is Governed
The Order of St. Augustine follows the Rule of St. Augustine and also has its own Constitutions (rules), first written in 1298. These rules are updated regularly.
The head of the order is the prior general, currently Alejandro Moral. He is elected every six years by a meeting called the general chapter. He is helped by six assistants and a secretary. Each province (a large region) is led by a provincial. Each monastery is led by a prior. The members of the order are either priests or brothers.
The main house of the order is the International College of St. Monica in Rome, Italy. This is also where the prior general lives.
What They Wear
The Augustinians wear a black woollen habit (a special religious clothing) with long, wide sleeves, a black leather belt, and a long pointed hood. Inside, they wear a black habit with a hood and belt. In some places, they wear white in summer.
Augustinian Provinces (Regions)
Australia
In 1838, James Alipius Goold was the first Augustinian to arrive in Australia. He became the first Archbishop of Melbourne. The first Australian monastery was founded by Irish Augustinian friars in 1886.
Today, the order serves in parishes, at St Augustine's College (New South Wales) and Villanova College, Brisbane. They also work with the Aboriginal community and with migrants and refugees in Thailand. They are also training Vietnamese Augustinians. As of 2021, there were 7 Augustinian monasteries in Australia.
Canada
The order established its first Canadian house in Nova Scotia in 1938. It was founded by German Augustinians who had moved to the US. They also founded Marylake Shrine of Our Lady of Grace and St. Thomas of Villanova College near Toronto.
England and Scotland
In 1248, the Augustinians opened their first English monastery in Suffolk. In the 1300s, there were over 800 friars in England and Ireland. However, during the English Reformation in the 1500s, many monasteries were closed.
The Augustinians returned to England in the 1860s. Clare Priory, one of the old monasteries closed by King Henry VIII, was re-acquired by the order in 1953.
Ireland
The first Augustinian house in Dublin was founded around 1280. For a long time, the Irish Augustinians were mostly English. After the English Reformation, many Augustinian houses in Ireland were closed. Only one community, at Dunmore, managed to survive until 1610.
In 1620, the Irish Augustinians were given responsibility for both England and Ireland. Many Irish Augustinian students went to Europe to study. Some were executed during the Penal laws against Catholics. After 1829, the order began to reorganize more openly in Ireland. They also took the order back to England and started missionary work in Nigeria, Australia, and America. Today, the Irish order runs parishes, schools, and special ministries.
Philippines
The Augustinian friars were the first Christian missionaries to settle in the Philippines. They arrived in Cebu in 1565, led by Andrés de Urdaneta. San Agustín Church and Monastery in Manila became the center of their efforts to spread Christianity in the Philippines. The Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines was officially formed in 1575.
During the Philippine Revolution of 1896, many Augustinian priests were killed or imprisoned. Many Spanish Augustinians had to leave the country. In 1904, members of the order established the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. In 1968, Filipino friars re-established the Augustinian presence in India.
The Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu was officially created in 1983. Today, the Order is still responsible for one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the Basilica del Santo Niño de Cebu. As of 2006, there were over 21 Augustinian houses in the Philippines, India, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia, with over 140 friars.
Poland
The first Augustinian friars came to Poland in 1342, invited by King Kazimierz the Great. In 1547, the Polish Augustinians were separated from the German province due to the Protestant Reformation.
Spain
A major Augustinian missionary college was founded in Valladolid, Spain, in 1759. This house was saved from the closure of monasteries around 1835 and became important for restoring the order in Spain. In 1885, Filipino Augustinians took charge of the famous Escorial. The modern Augustinian province of Spain was re-founded in 1926. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), many Augustinians were killed. As of 2006, there were 177 Spanish Augustinian friars.
In 2019, several Spanish Augustinian provinces merged to create a unified Province of St. John of Sahagun.
United States
The Augustinians first came to North America in 1796, when Irish friars arrived in Philadelphia. They founded Olde St. Augustine's Church. In 1844, anti-Catholic rioters burned the church and monastery.
The order grew in the late 1800s as Augustinians from Europe sought refuge in the USA. The Province of St. Thomas of Villanova was established in 1874. Villanova University in Pennsylvania was founded in 1843, and Merrimack College in Massachusetts in 1947. They also established several high schools. As of 2014, this province had 174 members in the U.S. and Japan.
In 1905, the order was invited to Chicago to start its first foundation west of the Appalachian Mountains. St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago was founded in 1909. In 1941, the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel was created to cover the central U.S. In 1962, Pope John XXIII asked US religious orders to send missionaries to Latin America. The Midwest Province of Augustinians accepted and began missionary service in Peru in 1964. As of 2016, this province had 76 Augustinians.
In 1922, the Augustinians were asked to establish a school for boys in California. They founded St. Augustine High School in San Diego, California (1922) and Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, California (1925). They also serve in parishes and at an orphanage in Mexico.
Augustinian Locations Worldwide
As of 2006, there were 148 active Augustinian priories in Europe, with over 1,000 friars. Worldwide, there are nearly 2,800 Augustinian friars working in many countries, including:
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Dem. Rep. Congo
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Guinea
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malta
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Panama
- Papua
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
The Augustinian Secondary Education Association (ASEA) was founded in 1986 to help Augustinian high schools in North America work together and share resources.
What Augustinians Do
The work of the Augustinians includes teaching, scientific study, parish and pastoral work (helping people in churches), and missions. Many Augustinians have been important theologians (people who study religion) and writers.
Teaching and Education
Augustinians have been famous professors of philosophy and theology at major universities like Salamanca, Oxford, Paris, and Vienna. They also taught successfully in their own schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. Today, the order has fifteen colleges, academies, and seminaries in Italy, Spain, and America.
Famous Augustinians
The Augustinian Order has had many notable members, especially scholars and writers:
- Giles of Rome (died 1316), a famous theologian and philosopher.
- Gregory of Rimini (died 1358), another important theologian.
- Walter Hilton (died 1396), a well-known mystic.
- Paul of Venice (died 1429), a famous philosopher.
- Aegidius of Viterbo (died 1532), a Cardinal, theologian, and scholar.
- Martin Luther (died 1546), a theologian and a key figure in the Reformation.
- Girolamo Seripando (died 1563), a Cardinal and important figure in the Council of Trent.
- Luis de León (died 1591), a famous poet and theologian.
- Aleixo de Menezes (died 1617), Archbishop of Goa.
- Henry Noris (died 1704), a Cardinal and historian.
- Gregor Mendel (died 1884), a famous scientist known for his work in genetics.
- Pavel Křížkovský (died 1885), a composer.
- F. X. Martin (died 2000), a historian.
- Michael Campbell (born 1941), a Catholic Bishop.
- Robert Francis Prevost, a Cardinal and Bishop.
More About Augustinians
- Augustinian nuns
- Discalced Augustinians
- Independent Augustinian communities
- Order of Augustinian Recollects
- Society of Saint Augustine
Images for kids
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The official crest of the Order of Saint Augustine.
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Abraham a Sancta Clara (1644–1709), a famous Augustinian preacher.
