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http://www.orgsites.com/ny/priestlysocietysssa/ The Priestly Society of Saint Augustine Our basis as brothers in the Society The Priestly Society of St. Augustine calls us all and challenges us to live according to the dictates of the Gospel,to love God and neighbor (Mt 22,40). We are called to deepen our relationship with Jesus each day through our lives and this involves a deep personal and ongoing relationship with the Divine Master. We must do this through our celebration of the Eucharist, our daily participation in the Divine Office of the Church, our prayerful lives and our desire to be used as servants of Jesus Himself. We also need to earnestly read and dwell on the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. We also need to have a great devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus, our Mother and the Mother of the Church. The Rules of the Priestly Society of St Augustine should be read and embedded in our hearts. Let us all be worthy and deserving members of this great Priestly Society of St. Augustine.

Augustinian emblem The emblem of the Priestly Society of St. Augustine is a variation of the book, heart with an arrow through it, and a heart on fire, which in one form or another is used as the logo of all Augustinian Orders. It comes from this short quotation from The Confessions of St. Augustine: "Thou hast pierced my heart, O Lord, with the arrow of Thy love, and set it aflame with Love."

The Confessions of St. Augustine: "Thou hast pierced my heart, O Lord, with the arrow of Thy love, and set it aflame with Love."

Communion of life Love comes from God and unites us with God, and through this unifying process it transforms us, so that overcoming all divisions, we are made one, until finally God is all in all (see 1Cor 15,28). This communion of life which Augustine proposes to us in imitation of the primitive apostolic community (see Acts 2:42-47), is an anticipation of complete and definitive union in God and the way to achieve it. While it is true that this “holy sharing of life” among the brothers is a gift of God, still each one of us must make an intense effort at perfecting it until unity in love is achieved. This unity in love, composed of many souls, will continue to exist in the heavenly city, which "will be the perfection of our unity after life’s pilgrimage.” Our communities ought to strive on earth to be signs of this unity, keeping the example of the perfect community of the undivided Trinity before our eyes.

The Rule of St Augustine Rule of St. Augustine The basic principles of the Augustinian spirituality of religious community life can be found in Augustine's Rule. This brief document presents Augustine's vision of the values that underlie the life of a vibrant and holy religious community. The Rule of St. Augustine was written around the year 400. It is the oldest monastic rule that we have today. The Rule of St. Benedict came approximately 120 years later. The Rule of St. Francis of Assisi was composed more than 800 years later. In spite of its ancient origin, the Rule of St. Augustine endures because it expresses enduring principles and manifests an understanding of the human condition. It is not concerned with regulating small details such as the daily schedule, the arrangement of furniture or the kinds of food that may or may not be consumed at meals. Rather, Augustine’s Rule outlines what is essential for a religious life in community which is guided by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/ruleaug.html

Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

Augustine of Hippo (Latin: Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis; November 13, 354 – August 28, 430), also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, St. Augustin, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria). He was a Latin philosopher and theologian from Roman Africa and generally considered as one of the greatest Christian thinkers of all times. His writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity. According to his contemporary, Jerome, Augustine "established anew the ancient Faith." In his early years he was heavily influenced by Manichaeism and afterward by the Neo-Platonism of Plotinus. After his conversion to Christianity and baptism in AD 387, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology, accommodating a variety of methods and different perspectives.

PRIESTLY SOCIETY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE Mongaup Valley, NY phone: 845-707-4646

Contact information. Rev FR Bernard Lopez SSSA Grand Prior Jesus Our Savior Ministries PO Box 206 Mongaup Valley, NY 12762 email address for Grand Prior bernard460202@aol.com