The Order of Saint Augustine in East Anglia

In his series about the Religious Congregations living and working in the Diocese of East Anglia, Fr Karol Porczak MS, Vicar for the Religious, introduces the Order of Saint Augustine.

The Order of Saint Augustine (Latin: Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini – OSA) is one of the several religious orders based on the Rule of Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430), who is their spiritual founder and they follow his Rule and way of life as a guide for living in community.

Bishop Augustine is one of the great figures of history and one of the great saints of the Catholic Church. Even though he lived at the turn of the 4^th  and 5^th century in Algeria, Africa, he continues to connect with people today through his inspiring writings, such as The City of God and his compelling life story, The Confessions of St Augustine.

Augustine of Hippo searched for happiness in all the wrong places before he discovered true peace, meaning and happiness in knowing Jesus Christ.

Since the foundation of the Augustinian Order in 1244, its members have always sought to live out the ideals of monastic life among the people with service to their spiritual needs and have accompanied many on the path to true happiness.

The Augustinians have created one religious Order, of which there are 2,700 friars in 50 countries around the world. Today, they aim to help the Catholic faithful grow in their faith and become disciples.

They care for the parishes of St Augustine’s, Hammersmith and St Monica’s, Hoxton, both in London; in Birmingham they run the parish of St Mary’s, Harborne. In the Diocese of East Anglia, they are in charge of the parish of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Suffolk, in Clare Priory with the Retreat Centre located there.

The community of Clare consist of three priests: Fr George Donaghy OSA (the Parish Priest), Fr Stefan Park OSA (the Prior) and Fr David Middleton OSA. 

From October three young Augustinian Friars from the Province of Nigeria, will arrive to serve at the National Shrine of Our Lady, at Walsingham. They are Fr Sunday Ikpe OSA [Prior], Fr Charles Chimaobi OSA, and Fr Eric Taru OSA. Read more here.

Pictured from left to right: Fr George, Fr Stefan, Fr David.

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