Who are the Augustinians: a living Augustinian tradition at the service of the Church
The Order of Saint Augustine is an international religious community centred on interiority, life in community and mission in the Church.
The Order of Saint Augustine is a religious family of the Catholic Church, inspired by the thought and spirituality of Saint Augustine of Hippo. Present in many countries, its mission focuses on life in community, the search for truth and pastoral, educational and social service.
Who are the Augustinians
The Order of Saint Augustine is a religious order founded in the 13th century that gathers the spiritual heritage of Saint Augustine (4th–5th century), one of the great Fathers of the Church.
Augustinians live their vocation in community, sharing faith, life and mission. Their identity rests on three core pillars: interiority, fraternal life and service to the Church.
Today, the Augustinians are present on several continents, carrying out a wide range of pastoral, educational and social work.
Origins and history
The Order of Saint Augustine was officially born in 1244, when Pope Innocent IV brought several hermit communities together under a single rule, inspired by the writings of Saint Augustine.
From the beginning, the Order has combined community life with apostolic action. Over the centuries, the Augustinians have had a prominent presence in evangelization, theology, education and the cultural life of the Church.
Spain has historically been a key country for the Order, both because of its presence there and because of its contribution to the mission in the Americas and other territories.
Charism and spirituality
Augustinian spirituality centres on the search for truth, interiority and life in community.
Saint Augustine proposes a deeply human and timely path: the restless heart that seeks meaning, that asks questions and that finds fulfilment in God. This search is not made alone but in community, where faith is shared and built together.
Search for truth
Interiority
Search for truth
In a society marked by individualism and fragmentation, the Augustinian proposal offers an alternative based on communion, friendship and encounter.
Presence in the world
The Order of Saint Augustine is present in many countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, with communities dedicated to evangelization, education and pastoral accompaniment.
Presence in Spain
In Spain, the Province of Saint John of Sahagún has:
- 307 friars
- 36 communities (including Portugal)
- A presence in more than 20 dioceses
- Care of 31 parishes and 5 churches
There is also significant international diversity in its communities, with friars from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia.
Areas of work
The Augustinians carry out their mission in several fields:
- Parish ministry: serving Christian communities.
- Education: a wide network of schools, university residences and university centres.
- Youth and vocations ministry: accompanying young people in their search for meaning.
- Formation and spirituality: retreats, accompaniment and spaces for interiority.
- Social outreach: a commitment to justice and to caring for those most in need.
In Spain they have 17 schools, 3 university residences and the Real Centro Universitario Escorial-María Cristina, as well as houses of formation.
Key figures
The central reference for the Order of Saint Augustine is:
- Saint Augustine of Hippo, bishop, theologian and Doctor of the Church, whose life and thought continue to enlighten millions of people around the world.
His figure represents the tireless search for truth, interiority and conversion, essential elements of the Augustinian charism.
Today’s context: the Pope’s boost
The election of Pope Leo XIV, a member of the Augustinian family, has given a significant boost to the visibility of this spirituality around the world.
In Spain, this has been received with joy and a sense of responsibility, increasing interest in the Order both in the media and among those discerning a vocation.
Challenges and opportunities
Today the Order of Saint Augustine faces important challenges in a complex social context:
- Living unity in diversity, in line with the call to synodality.
- Responding to contemporary individualism with open and welcoming communities.
- Fostering a culture of encounter in a fragmented society.
- Accompanying young people in their search for meaning.
At the same time, its spirituality offers a clear opportunity: proposing interiority, community and the search for truth as a response to today’s concerns.
Key facts
- Founded: 1244
- Inspired by: Saint Augustine (4th–5th century)
- Presence: international
- Friars in Spain: 307
- Communities in Spain: 36
- Dioceses in Spain: more than 20
- Parishes served: 31
Frequently asked questions
What are the Augustinians?
They are a Catholic religious order inspired by Saint Augustine, centred on life in community, the search for truth and service to the Church.
What do the Augustinians do?
They work in parishes, schools, universities, youth ministry and spiritual accompaniment, as well as social projects.
Where are the Augustinians present?
They are present in many countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, with a strong presence in Spain.
What is Augustinian spirituality?
It is based on interiority, community life and the search for truth, inspired by the thought of Saint Augustine.
They are a Catholic religious order inspired by Saint Augustine, centred on life in community, the search for truth and service to the Church.
They work in parishes, schools, universities, youth ministry and spiritual accompaniment, as well as social projects.
They are present in many countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, with a strong presence in Spain.
It is based on interiority, community life and the search for truth, inspired by the thought of Saint Augustine.
Today the Order of Saint Augustine continues its mission as a living tradition in the Church, offering a deeply timely spiritual proposal, able to respond to the concerns of today’s world through interiority, community and the search for truth.