The Augustinian family is a broad spiritual community composed of several distinct branches and groups, all united by a common bond under the guidance and Rule of Saint Augustine. According to the Constitutions, the family is structured as follows:
1-The Core Branches of the Order
The Order of Saint Augustine itself is composed of three primary branches that come under the jurisdiction of the Prior General:
- Friars: This includes all members, both professed and novices, who belong to the various geographical Circumscriptions of the Order.
- Contemplative Nuns: These women live in monasteries and occupy a “special place” within the Order, fulfilling the apostolic life through their prayers and hidden service.
- Augustinian Secular Fraternities (Third Order): These consist of lay men and women who strive to live their Christian vocation in the world while being guided by Augustinian spirituality.
2. Aggregated and Affiliated Groups
The wider family extends beyond the Order’s central branches to include groups united by a spiritual bond and beneficial collaboration:
- Religious Institutes: These are male and female congregations of apostolic life that have chosen the Rule of Saint Augustine and are formally aggregated to the Order by a decree.
- Other Lay Groups: This includes various associations of lay faithful that develop around Augustinian communities or through pious associations devoted to the Virgin Mary or the Saints of the Order.
- Affiliated Faithful: Individuals recognized for their distinguished cooperation with the Order. Notably, the parents of friars and sisters of solemn vows are automatically considered affiliated from the day of their child’s solemn profession.
Congregations of the Assumption Family affiliated with the Order of Saint Augustine:
The Sisters of the Assumption, Paris; The Augustinians of the Assumption, Rome (recognized on November 27, 1866; recognition renewed on March 25, 1929); The Little Sisters of the Assumption, Paris; the Orantes of the Assumption, Paris (September 10, 1929); Oblates of the Assumption, Missionary Sisters, Paris (September 10, 1929); Sisters of Saint Joan of Arc, Quebec (June 24, 1930); Little Sisters of the Presentation, Butembo-Beni (December 15, 1949); Little Brothers of the Assumption, Butembo-Beni (March 3, 1954)
3- The Broader Augustinian Tradition
The Order also recognize a fraternal bond with many other religious families that follow the Rule of Saint Augustine or live under its inspiration, even if they are not formally part of the Order’s juridical structure. (eg. Order of Augustinian Recollects, Order of Augustinian Discalced)
All members of the Augustinian family, regardless of their specific branch, are considered “one body under our father, Saint Augustine,” sharing the same goal of building up the Body of Christ with “one mind and one heart intent upon God”.