Part I: High School & Conversion

I had summed up my initial encounter with Augustine when I was in High School, somewhat culminating in my decision to receive that name upon my confirmation. It was not a happy ending however.

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A little more personal story of me and Auggie, or better known as Saint Augustine of Hippo.

I think someone who wanted to know much more about my conversion had better read my Christology series that I wrote last year.

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O Lord my God,
let my soul praise you
that it may love you,
and let it recount to you your mercies
that it may praise you for them all.
And all Your creation praises you
and never lapses into silence.
You are praised too by every person
whose lips are turned to You in prayer.
Animals and even lifeless matter
never cease to praise you
through the mouths of those
who give them heed.
With reflections such as these,
let my soul rouse itself from weariness,
lean on your creation
and hobble towards You
who made it all.
For in you we are remade
and find true strength.

- Prayer of Saint Augustine, Confessions V,1,I

In 2010, I took a course on Collaborative Leadership in Ministry. I wrote my final paper “An Augustinian Basis for Collaborative Leadership” drawing upon four significant images from Augustine himself, which are important phrases in our own Spirituality. If you recall I had previously given important phrases that are used in our Rule, and that many Augustinians take to heart in their own personal application of the principles of Augustinian Spirituality. In addition, understanding that Apostolic Life in the Church is a core aspect of our own Spirituality, I wanted to draw on four important images, or mantras, from Augustine that would be relevant. I decided I would merely include a brief summary of this paper, and refer to the four phrases.

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Following the example of Saint Augustine, love for the Church brings us to a total availability for its needs, by accepting the tasks which the Church asks of us, according tot he charism of the Order. Friars should remember that this availability for service to the Church constitutes one of the essential characteristics of Augustinian spirituality… (Augustinian Constitutions 35)

After Augustine found a community, he was seized by the Church to be their Pastor, to be their Bishop. He wasn’t even ordained. Augustine used to avoid certain places because he was afraid of being seized. Eventually he had a change of heart.

The original thirteenth century Augustinians were a loose collection of Northern Italian Hermits following his Rule. They wanted to be united together under one Order (like the newly formed Friars Minor and Order of Preachers, Franciscans and Dominicans specifically). The Church, the Pope and his counselors, asked that the Augustinian Hermits become Friars and engage in Apostolic Works.

There is this funny parallel here, where Augustine wanted an eremitic/monastic life, and was called upon to be at disposal to the pastoral ministry of the Church. The First Augustinian Hermits, likewise, were called upon to be at disposal for the Church’s ministry.

People ask what our charism is, like charism is something we do. Our primary charism is Common Life. As long as we do that, we can do anything else the Church needs. We are pastors, missionaries, scholars, evangelists, chaplains, professors, social workers, or anything else the Church might need. Hence, I started a Hip Hop ministry. I haven’t done very much yet, but yeah.

Community is the axis around which Augustinian religious life turns: a community of brothers/sisters who live harmoniously in their house, united by a single soul and a single heart, seeking God together and open to the service of the Church…

Community is the fruit of charity and is expressed in friendship, which brings forth and nourishes loyalty, trust, sincerity and mutual understanding. Charity unites us in Christ through the Holy Spirit, helping us to recognize the signs of God’s love in the events and circumstances of life. (Augustinian Constitutions 26, 29)

Augustine refers to his friendships all throughout the Confessions. They lead him to sin, and they lead him to holiness. They bring tears, and they bring great delight. He had his conversion experience in the Garden, (Tolle Legge). He had a Divine Vision with his beloved mother. Holiness, of one mind and heart, is a community thing, a friendship thing. Christianity is for friends.

When Augustine returned to Africa, he wanted to have a community of friends, that would pray and philosophize together. Since God was Truth, the highest and most beautiful pursuit, Monasticism was the only sensible thing for him, and it would only be right in the delightful communion of friends. Unlike Benedict who mandated community for the humility to serve, Augustine mandated community on the imperative of charity (even with all the delight it involves).

Today, Augustinian Friendship is important. It bonds me to a bunch of senior citizens, in a way that is highly unusual compared to all my twentysomething peers. I have skype chats with brothers from all over the world. Augustinians in the Philippines add me, even if I have never met them personally, I accept, because they are Auggies.

How beautiful it is for brothers to dwell in unity together!