Augustinian 'union'

On October 27 The Times carried a picture of the Torch Of Dialogue outside the Millennium chapel in Paceville. May I bring to the attention of readers that the caption is not fully correct. The main object of the Torch pilgrimage held by the Italian...

On October 27 The Times carried a picture of the Torch Of Dialogue outside the Millennium chapel in Paceville. May I bring to the attention of readers that the caption is not fully correct. The main object of the Torch pilgrimage held by the Italian Augustinian Province was the 750th anniversary of "the great union" of the Augustinians into one Order.

I am afraid there was nothing about it in the caption and readers might be misled as to the principal aim of The Torch.

The Augustinians had their origin at Hippo (Hippo-Regius, today Annaba, Algeria). Bishop Valerius of Hippo gave a piece of land to Augustine to build a monastery (vide Confessions of St Augustine). After the Vandal invasion the Augustinians were spread throughout Europe. The Order of St Augustine in both branches (masculine and feminine) arose in Italy at the beginning of the 13th century.

The union of the congregations happened at Rome in the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo and was confirmed by Pope Alexander IV through the Bull: Licet Ecclesiae Catholicae dated April 9,1256 (from the letter sent by the Provincial, October12, 2006, the 750th anniversary of the Order of St Augustine).

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