Contemplation

Contemplation is the primordial characteristic of the patrimony of St. Augustine and the Order. Contemplation is synonymous with life for God, life in God, and the very life of God. The Augustinian Recollect searches for God revealed in the history of salvation.

The outstanding note of the Augustinian Recollect vocation is a continuous conversation with Christ. Its defining characteristic is to attend to everything which would most enkindle this love.

Life in common

Contemplation has a unifying and communitarian effect. By means of fraternal love, the Holy Spirit engenders the knowledge and love of Christ which evolves toward the contemplation of the Father. The community is more a gift of the Holy Spirit than a human construct.

In it, a patient construction of fraternal life is realized with the charitable dialogue among the brothers of diverse ages, origins and cultures. Fraternal life, seen as a life shared in love, is an eloquent sign of ecclesial communion. The community according to the proposal of St. Augustine, strives to imitate the primitive community of Jerusalem, that is, living united and seeking to have one soul and one heart directed toward God.

Action

Contemplative love, in addition to binding hearts and minds in community, is also in itself apostolic and diffusive. The Augustinian Recollect religious is called to carry within himself that love whose essence to give and communicate .The more he participates in the knowledge and love of God the more he tends to communicate this love and knowledge. The life of the community is contemplative and active in such a way that the two aspects are integrated and complement each other since contemplation and action are, in the Church, manifestations of the same love.

Mission

The mission of the Augustinian Recollects is not limited to a single activity but is rather characterized by a readiness to respond to the needs of the Church.

The apostolic dimension of the Order has been distinguished from its inception in mission activity. The Order, missionary by tradition and rights of inheritance, has diffused love by evangelizing peoples who had not yet believed in Christ or by serving in churches which have a special human and spiritual need.