About the Augustinians

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Who We Are: The Order of Saint Augustine

Augustinians are members of the Order of Saint Augustine, an international Catholic religious community of men and women.

The Order of Saint Augustine includes some 2800 Augustinians in 47 countries throughout the world.

In the United States, there are three regional provinces of Augustinians. We sponsor Villanova University, Merrimack College, several high schools, and many parishes. We have a variety of different ministries, including inner-city apostolates in the United States, as well as missions in Japan and Peru.

We collaborate with committed lay women and men and draw from our institutions and volunteers to bring Christian ideals into real life situations, especially for those in need around the world.

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Our Work as Augustinians

We are "Active Contemplatives." We serve in diverse ministries as pastors, educators, and missionaries, across the globe and in local communities.

Making a Global Impact

Our International Work

Educating Future Leaders

Teaching and Mentoring

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Building Intentional Community

Creating Community Bonds

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Spreading Our Catholic Faith

Catholic Evangelization

Are you called?

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9 Steps of Formation

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Discover the 9-Step Augustinian Formation Process

Step 1: Discernment

A man interested in religious life within the Augustinian Order will meet with a vocation director, who establishes a relationship and meets with the man to listen and discuss his interest in religious life. After evaluation, the vocation director introduces the candidate to the community and recommends that the discerner spend time with members of the Augustinian community.

Step 3: Pre-Novitiate

In the pre-novitiate, the candidate lives in an Augustinian community and initial formation begins. The candidate is introduced to the Augustinian Rule and the Order’s Constitutions. As the Candidate continues to discern his vocation, he participates and shares in the community life; time is set aside for Mass and prayer, as well as other social events. Upon completion of the pre-novitiate requirements, the formation team evaluates the readiness of the candidate to be advanced.

Step 2: Associate Program

The Associate Program provides an opportunity for an inquirer who may not be ready or able, due to other responsibilities, to enter the Pre-Novitiate Program, to have regular contact with an appointed friar and a specific Augustinian community. This will allow him to deepen his familiarity with our charism and spirituality, and to have opportunities to meet with a local community from time to time, for prayer, meals and conversation. There are various ways in which association can take place, depending on the circumstances of the inquirer, his proximity to an Augustinian community, his educational or work obligations. The options for association are discussed with the vocation director and the director of the Associate Program.

Step 4: Novitiate

Your year in the Novitiate is a pivotal step in the formation process. As a novice, the candidate receives a white habit. The candidate continues developing his life of prayer and deepening his relationship with God. Formation as an Augustinian continues as he lives according to the Rule and integrates the values and mission of the Augustinians.

A key aspect of the Novitiate step is Prayer. God's Grace strengthens the joy and freedom of the consecrated life, in service to the Church and to the world in Christ's name. The emphasis on a life of prayer does not minimize other aspects of the formative process. Instead it is the source of our being and action.

Step 5: Simple Vows

At the end of one's Novitiate year, the candidate will profess his first vows in the Augustinian Order. These initial vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are also called simple/temporary vows. They are "temporary" because they are to be renewed annually as the candidate continues to discern his vocation, until solemn vows.

The candidate will typically study at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) for four or five years depending on his calling either to the Brotherhood or the Priesthood within the Order.

Step 7: Solemn Vows

Solemn Vows are made between the Fourth and Fifth Year in the Theologate. If a friar is found to be suitable and has reached the age of 24, completed his pastoral year and the fourth year of theology, the friar will profess solemn vows.

If the friar is called to the brotherhood vocation instead of a priestly vocation, the formation process is complete! He is ready for active ministry! If the friars is called to the priesthood, he proceeds to the following steps below.

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Our North American Provinces

Similar to how a diocese covers a certain geographical area, the Augustinians are organized in provinces. There are three provinces in the United States and one in Canada. You can access any of the provinces' websites below.

West Coast

International Order of St. Augustine

International

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About the Augustinians

Who We Are: The Order of Saint Augustine

Learn More About Us

Learn about how we live in Community

Learn about our Restless spiritual calling

Learn about the History of the Order

More Questions than Answers?
Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)