Holy Father Augustine
Today is the feast of Saint Augustine who was born at Tagaste in what is now Algeria, c.354. He was not only the Bishop of Hippo and a theologian who profoundly influenced the western world, but the author of a rule and the instructor of our manner of common life. His Regula ad servos Dei, originally composed for a community of women, was adopted by the Canons Regular in the 12th Century.
Innocent III invited Saint Dominic to choose a rule for his followers from already existing and approved rules, following the Fourth Lateran Council (1215); as Jordan of Saxony testified, those who were to be Preachers professed the rule of Saint Augustine, who was himself a distinguished preacher; but they added certain stricter observances concerning the receiving of alms, fasting, vigils and woollen habits.
As Humbert of Romans showed in his commentary on the Rule, the apostolic life that forms the basis for the Rule of Saint Augustine was well-suited to the purpose of the Order of Preachers. The Rule, along with the Constitutions, remains today the foundation of Dominican profession.
This ceiling painting of St Augustine is from the Dominican church of Sta Maria Minerva in Rome.
Holy Father Augustine
Today is the feast of Saint Augustine who was born at Tagaste in what is now Algeria, c.354. He was not only the Bishop of Hippo and a theologian who profoundly influenced the western world, but the author of a rule and the instructor of our manner of common life. His Regula ad servos Dei, originally composed for a community of women, was adopted by the Canons Regular in the 12th Century.
Innocent III invited Saint Dominic to choose a rule for his followers from already existing and approved rules, following the Fourth Lateran Council (1215); as Jordan of Saxony testified, those who were to be Preachers professed the rule of Saint Augustine, who was himself a distinguished preacher; but they added certain stricter observances concerning the receiving of alms, fasting, vigils and woollen habits.
As Humbert of Romans showed in his commentary on the Rule, the apostolic life that forms the basis for the Rule of Saint Augustine was well-suited to the purpose of the Order of Preachers. The Rule, along with the Constitutions, remains today the foundation of Dominican profession.
This ceiling painting of St Augustine is from the Dominican church of Sta Maria Minerva in Rome.