Augustinians of the Midwest - Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel - Order of St. Augustine

You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. --St. Augustine, Confessions

Who
We Are

Augustinian
Spirituality

Augustinian
Vocations

Advancement
Aug. Guild

Missions
in Peru

Justice
& Peace

Augustinian Saints, Blesseds and More . . .

Through the ages many followers of the Augustinian way of life have been declared Saint or Blessed by the Catholic Church.

» Learn about these Augustinian heroes of the Christian Faith

Roots of Augustinian Spirituality

Augustinian Spirituality is based on principles found in Holy Scripture and guided by the thought of St. Augustine of Hippo, the great Fifth Century African Doctor of the Church and framer of the ideals of our community life.

Some key elements of Augustinian Spirituality are

Holy Scripture as a primary place of encountering God
Discovering God in Community
Interiority
Promotion of Justice, Unity, Harmony, Peace and Reconciliation
Apostolic Service

» See more about the Roots of Augustinian Spirituality

St. Augustine's Vision of Christian Community Life

One
Mind, One Heart: Augustinian Spirituality of the Religious Life

St. Augustine is recognized as one of the most influential architects of monastic community life in the Western Church. His Rule provides the basic principles which guide not only the Augustinians of the twenty-first century, but hundreds of other contemporary religious communities as well.

» Discover Augustine's vision and spirituality of Christian religious community life

Augustine: Practical Spiritual Guide for Our Journey

Rev. Theodore E. Tack, O.S.A. in this YouTube video speaks of St. Augustine as a practical spirutual guide for the Christian journey. He examines basic elements of Augustinian spirituality and shows how Augustine is still relevant for all Christians today.

His talk, part of Villanova University's “Studies in Augustinian Spirituality” series, is entitled “The Relevance of Augustine for Young Adults Today.”

Father Tack, an Augustinian of the Midwest since 1927, has served as Prior General (world leader) of the Order of St. Augustine (Augustinian Order), has taught Theology at the Augustinianum in Rome; served as Headmaster of Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma; taught at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago and Cascia Hall and at Tolentine College, formerly in Olympia Fields, Illinois, and directed retreats.

He is author of If Augustine Were Alive: Augustine’s Religious Ideals for Today (Alba House, 1988) and As One Struggling Christian to Another: Augustine’s Christian Ideal for Today (Liturgical Press, 2001).

» See the YouTube video on Augustine as a Spiritual Guide (YouTube video - Opens new window)

Augustinian Theme of Harmony

A seldom-discussed theme of Augustinian Spirituality is that of Harmony. In his newly completed doctoral thesis, Augustinian Friar Robert F. Dueweke, O.S.A. explores this timely theme as expressed in the writings of St. Augustine.

After explaining the term harmony as understood by Augustine, Father Dueweke examines Augustine's concepts of Creation and Rightly Ordered Love, Prayer and Communion, and the Totus Christus, present in the community of the faithful, with the poor and downtrodden, and in momemts of discord.

» Learn about St. Augustine's spirituality of Harmony

Benedict XVI Reflects on St. Augustine

Pope Benedict XVI has devoted several talks at Papal General Audiences to his reflections on St. Augustine.

» Read Pope Benedict's reflections on Augustine

Dedicated in Prayer . . .

Because of our particular relationship to the example of the early Christian community, Augustinians are called in a special way to common prayer. In this type of prayer we give expression to the very essence of the Church as community. Individual prayer is also an important part of the spiritual development of each member of the Order.

As Augustinians, we have made the choice:

To foster common prayer, meaningful liturgical celebrations, spiritual reading, and annual retreats.
To spend time in quiet prayer and reflection in common.
To use the writings of Saint Augustine and sources of Augustinian spirituality, comunally and individually.
To develop a deeper interior life using scripture-centered prayer and discussions.

          » Hear Martin Laird, O.S.A. on Christian Practice of Contemplation
               P.B.S. Religion & Ethics Newsweekly report: 8½ minute video with text transcript
                 (Opens new window)

Rule of St. Augustine Guides Order's Spirituality

The basic principles of the Augustinian spirituality of religious life can be found in Augustine's Rule. Written to guide the members of his early monasteries, this brief document presents Augustine's vision of the values that underlie the life of a vibrant and holy religious community.

» Read the Rule of St. Augustine

For Further Reading . . .

If you would like read the writings of Saint Augustine, Augustinians of the Midwest recommend the series The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century published by

» New City Press (Opens new window)
Offers Augustine's writings expertly translated into modern English

Daily Bible Reading
(Opens new window)

Scriptures proclaimed at Catholic Mass
each day of the year
--from U.S.C.C.B.

Augustine Day by Day
(Opens new window)

Inspiration from Saint Augustine
for each day of the year
--from Villanova