To be an Augustinian means to be a member of a religious community that follows the Rule of St. Augustine, a guide for communal Christian living written by Augustine of Hippo around 400 A.D.
Augustinians commit to living in unity and harmony, sharing possessions in common, and focusing on the journey toward God with "one mind and one heart," inspired by the early Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:32)
. Augustinians live out evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, dedicating themselves to service through roles such as pastors, educators, and missionaries
. Their spirituality emphasizes love for God and neighbor, interiority, humility, devotion to study and wisdom, freedom, community, the common good, humble service, friendship, and prayer
. There are different branches of Augustinians, including Canons Regular who live a semi-monastic life with pastoral duties, and friars who combine contemplation with active ministry
. The Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), founded in 1244, is the largest and most well-known Augustinian order
. In summary, being an Augustinian means embracing a communal Christian life modeled on St. Augustine's teachings, characterized by shared life, service, and spiritual values rooted in love and unity
