Friends of Augustine

Intent upon God in oneness of mind and heart.

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Friends of Augustine

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NEWSFLASH

Visit our new section on RETREATS within the Order within the England and Scotland Province!

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“Do not go outside yourself! Return to yourself! Truth dwells within."
“He is in our very inmost hearts, but our hearts have strayed from Him.”
“Return to yourself from the things that are without and then give yourself back to Him who made you.”
“God speaks to us in the great silence of our hearts.”

 

 Thoughts from St Augustine:

  Lay Friends of Augustine
seeking God today
through Augustinian Spirituality

There were joys to be found in their company which still more captivated my mind – the charms of talking and laughing together and kindly giving way to each other’s wishes, reading elegantly written books together, sharing jokes and delighting to honour one another, disagreeing occasionally but without rancour, as a person might disagree with themselves, and lending piquancy by that rare disagreement to our much more frequent accord. We would teach and learn from each other, sadly missing any who were absent and blithely welcoming them when they returned. Such signs of friendship sprang from the hearts of friends who loved and knew their love returned, signs to be read in smiles, words, glances and a thousand gracious gestures. So were sparks kindled and our minds were fused inseparably, out of many becoming one.

    
Augustine Confessions (IV, 8)
"O Sacrament of love, sign of our unity, bond of our fidelity, we who long for life have here its very source. Let us come here and believe, unite with You and live".
As the year 2000 approached, groups of lay Christians were busy exploring new models of community, which were relevant and accessible to men and women engaged in the secular world. These groups had at least one thing in common; Seeking God through Augustinian Spirituality. So during 16th to 21st July 1999, in Rome, the Augustinian Order hosted an international meeting of Lay Augustinians, and from this, a vision emerged of an international communion of groups and individuals who are trying to live a spirituality that is both Augustinian, and also relevant to the concerns of Christians seeking God in the 21st century. The delegates left to return to their own countries/provinces taking this vision with them. The groups met again in Rome seven years later in 2006 to review and share their experiences. Read more ....

The Rule of St Augustine
Augustinian Spirituality   
 At the Friends of Augustine National Meeting held at BoarbankHall January 2009, we were urged to study The Rule of St Augustine but from a modern Lay view point. Time permitted only the first four chapters of the Rule to be discussed. The Clare Priory group continued to study and complete the Rule encompassing thoughts aired at Boarbank and in our following three monthly meetings: Documents based on Augustinian Spirituality with special relevance to living in the World today.
I have learnt to love You late,
beauty at once so ancient and so new!
I have learnt to love You Late!
You were within me,
and I was in the world outside myself ....
Read more .....    

  Friends of Augustine: Clare Group

Chapter I ‘Purpose and Basis of the Common Life’

‘Live together in one mind and heart on your journey to God
through life. God is love and we must love each other. Shareeverything humbly: your riches and experience, time and talents, for the glory of God. Give from your heart, not just material things, but yourself. Don’t seek your advantage alone but try to be of benefit to everyone.'

Chapter II ‘Prayer’

‘Persevere faithfully in prayer: think over in your hearts the
words that a come from your lips. Let the words that come fromyour lips be alive in your hearts.’

 

Clare Priory

This site is run by the Friends of Augustine at Clare Priory, Suffolk, England and therefore additional details are included on our Group but we participate in National meetings open to all and these are well reported. Read more about our monthly meetings, Newsletters, Meeting and Prayer booklets etc.

International Friends of Augustine

Chapter III ‘Moderation and Self-Denial’

‘Remember we are equal but not the same: we should all have what we need but simplicity should be our guide in life. Enjoy what you have but try not to be too attached to this. At meal-times be thankful and encourage conversation around the table, being mindful of God in each other.'

 Chapter IV ‘Safeguarding Chastity and FraternalCorrection’

‘Exercise mutual care over your purity of life: seek inner beauty and purity of heart especially with regards to the opposite sex. Be open and accountable to each other because God looks after you through your brothers and sisters. Be vigilant for each other.'
This web site gives an insight to the Friends of Augustine around the world by giving access to reports of and presentations at the Rome 2006 Conference. Known Web links to the different groups are also available.
Read more ....
  St Augustine

Chapter V 'The Care of Community Goods andTreatment of the  Sick'


'Desire and work for the best for everybody, though remember this includes looking after yourself adequately. Be compassionate to those who are ill and give them all the time and help they need from you. Try and do all you have to do cheerfully!’

Chapter VI 'Love and Conflict'


'Avoid conflict, if it occurs, be conciliatory preventing further escalation. Be quick to give and receive forgiveness but forgive even if not forgiven. Always love one another from the heart.'
Augustine of Hippo, or Saint Augustine (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) was one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity.
Read more ....
    The Order of St Augustine (OSA)

Chapter VII. 'Love in authority and obedience'.


‘Pray and work in a spirit of love, charity and friendship for and with the friars to further Christ's Kingdom, giving thanks for the richness and depth that this brings to our lives.’

Chapter VIII. 'Final Exhortation'


'Lovingly observe all that is written here, living not as slaves but as free people in the Love of Christ.
Refer to this text frequently and use it to view yourselves as ina mirror.'
The early history of the Order, the coming of the Order to Britain and the Rule of the Order. Read more ....