#augustinians

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Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pontificate, particularly unity and communion within the Church.

The shield is divided diagonally into two sections.

The upper half features a blue background with a white lily.

The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow.

This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase:

“Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo”

“You have pierced my heart with your Word.”

Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means “In the One, we are one.”

New research reveals how Augustinian friars shaped medieval rural life through overlooked miracles—from healing livestock to restoring barren land—challenging long-held assumptions about the order’s history.

I suspect there is a timely reason for this ask, given our new pope is an Augustinian!

My thoughts in general are this: I have yet to find a religious order I don’t like. Perhaps that’s a copout answer but each order of religious life has beauty and wisdom.

I will give my thoughts first on St. Augustine, who I admire deeply. Augustine was a brilliant and faithful man. His conversion story and struggles are quite relatable: “Lord, make me chaste, just not yet!” It is important to know that he did not found an order; Augustinians formed their order in the 13th century, about 9 centuries after Augustine’s death.

Augustinians are known for their missionary work, community-oriented charitable works, and contemplation. That to me is a good encapsulation of what it means to be Catholic. Be prayerful and be loving.

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA The Patron Saint of the Impossible and Lost Causes Feast Day: May 22

"Since we offend our sweet Jesus, every day, in thought, word, deed and the omission of good works, we should pray every day, and every hour of the day, and weep for our offenses against so kind and loving a Father, Master and Spouse."

The patron of the impossible, abused wives and widows, was born into a noble family at Roccaporena, Perugia, Umbria, Italy in 1381. At 12, despite her desire to enter the convent, she was asked by her parents - Antonio and Amata Ferri Lotti, to marry to Paolo Mancini, who was quick-tempered and immoral. With humility endured insults, physical abuses and infidelities for many years.

Eventually, the husband was stabbed to death during a family feud, and their two sons planned for revenge. Unable to restrain their vengeful desires, Rita requested the Lord to take them to himself rather than allowing them to commit a crime and lose their souls. Accordingly, they died of natural death a year later.

Afterwards, Rita desired to enter the Augustinian monastery in Cascia, but was turned away, for fear that the nuns might get involved in the family feud. Because of her insistence, the nuns requested as condition for acceptance the difficult task of reconciling her family with that of her husband's murderers.

By the grace of God, she succeeded, and at the age of 36, was able to enter the monastery. One day, as she was praying before the crucifix, a thorn from the crown of Jesus penetrated her forehead, and the stigmata remained till her death. At the end of her life, while bedridden at the convent, Rita requested her cousin from a rose from the garden of her old house. Despite the fact it was January, and no flower could survive the winter weather, a single blooming rose was found, and brought to her.

She breathed her last. Rita's final words to the sisters who gathered around her were: 'Remain in the holy love of Jesus. Remain in obedience to the holy Roman Church. Remain in peace and fraternal charity.'

Rita died peacefully on May 22, 1457 in Cascia, Perugia, Umbria, Italy, and she had acquired the reputation as a saint of impossible cases. The bells of the convent immediately began to ring, untouched by human hands, calling the people of Cascia to the doors of the convent, and to announce the triumphant completion of a life faithfully lived.

3. III. 22 // Baroque

Ms. Codex 85 - [Bullarium Augustinianum]

This manuscript features a collection of papal letters and instruments dealing with the order of the Eremite Friars of St. Augustine (the Augustinians). The collection begins with a bull of Pope Sixtus IV. Other popes whose bulls are quoted or referred to include Alexander IV, Boniface VIII, Clement VI, John XXII, Urban VI, Martin V, Eugene IV, Nicholas V, Pius II, Paul II, Innocent IV, Alexander VI, and Julius II. The documents quoted or cited are not necessarily arranged in the chronological order of the pontificates of the popes who issued them. It was possibly written in Crema, Italy, around 1506 CE.

Patio del Exconvento de San Agustín*

by José María Velasco y Gómez (Mexican, 1840 - 1912) oil on canvas, 1860

Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Ciudad de México