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The most outstanding legacy left to the Church by Saint Augustine of Hippo
was the founding of the monastic form of life. His style of monasticism, which
he put into practice after his conversion, influenced the whole western
Church. Before Augustine's death in 430, there were several monasteries
established in North Africa and by the end of the 13th century, the
Augustinian form of monasticism had spread to Europe.
The founding chapter of the Order of Brothers of Saint Augustine was held
in Rome in 1244 because the Pope, Innocent IV, said he did not wish to see
these hermits "wandering about without a shepherd like sheep lost among the
mass of the flock." Thus came into being the Order known as "The Hermits of
Saint Augustine," or the "Augustinians."
During the pontificates of Innocent IV and Alexander IV, the order was
placed under papal protection. In the year 1256, an event known as the "Great
Union" occurred and many more communities were added to the order.
Through the centuries, Augustinians have served the Church as theologians,
teachers, preachers, missionaries, parish priests and even as navigators. In
modern times much work has been done in secondary schools by Augustinians in
various countries of the world.
The Augustinian Friars serving in the Midwest section of the United States
are members of the
Province of Our
Mother of Good Counsel with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. There are
two other provinces in the United States -- The Province of Saint Thomas of
Villanova in Pennsylvania, and the Province of Saint Augustine in California. |
Clare was born at Montefalco, Italy, around 1268. As a young woman she joined
a convent of Franciscan tertiaries. This group established Holy Cross Convent at
Montefalco in 1290, adopting the Rule of Saint Augustine. Clare's sister Joan
was the abbess of this community, but at her death Clare succeeded her. She led
an austere life, being particularly devoted to the Passion of Christ and His
Cross.
When Clare died in 1308, an image of the Cross was found imprinted on her
heart, and her body remained incorrupt. She was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo
XIII. Her feast day is August 17th. The life of Saint Clare reminds us that we
are all called to a life of prayer and dedication. Still, we must not expect or
anticipate special favors. We are to be satisfied with the simple relationship
we establish with God.
Short biography of Saint Clare of Montefalco used with permission from Catholic
Online. ©1998 Catholic
Online. All rights reserved.
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