Bound in Love

Augustinian spirituality

“We are to be of one mind and heart on the way to God. We are travelers on pilgrimage together, wherein Christ is our constant companion, as well as our way and our goal.”

Adapted from the Augustinian Order’s Constitutions and Plan of Formation

The Order of Saint Augustine, more commonly known as the Augustinians, is a Roman Catholic community of men and women that exists world-wide and was founded in 1244. Inspired by the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and the religious insight and teachings of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Augustinians seek to live out a Christian vocation of love for God and neighbor in communion of life and service to the Church.

The foundation and characteristic of Augustinian spirituality is life in common, in which Friars seek to construct a path that is directed to God in service of others. They do this not only through the sharing of ideals and values, but also in the communion of all their material and spiritual goods. In this way they strive to grow through the gift of God’s grace, and so give witness to the mystery of the Trinity and of the Church, anticipating now on earth the reality they hope for in the future in the Father’s house.

The activity of their journey is shaped by Saint Augustine’s own experience and counsel, and is characterized by three essential elements: the constant search for God by means of a deep interior life; the practical love of neighbor; and the constant pursuit of truth.

• Life in community
  • How do you live community
  • The devil wants to isolate us
  • Build community and at the minimum be a part of something
• A deep interior life
  • Daily mental prayer
  • Spiritual director or companion
  • Psychological work
    • Ability to be alone with yourself
    • Grace builds upon nature
  • Read about the saints and their prayer lives
  • Go on retreats!
• the practical love of neighbor
  • love God, yourself and others
  • what does it look like to love your neighbor
  • love is to will the good of the other
  • outreach
  • build virtue
  • emotional health
  • if you don’t love yourself you won’t love God and others well
  • be love in the world
  • SERVE in some way

• constant pursuit of truth
  • Jesus is the way the truth and the life
  • Know your faith
  • Spiritual reading
  • Podcasts
  • Youtube and ewtn

How can this inspire out own spiritual journey?