The Order

Coat of Arms of the Order of Augustinian Recollects

The heart and book - images shared by all Augustinians - represent the motto of the Augustinian Recollects: Caritas et Sciencia (Love and Learning). The heart is flaming and pierced with the arrow of divine love. Augustine in his spiritual writings spoke about these essential components of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God: the intellect in its search for truth, and the heart in its desire for love. The flanking tassels in the seal (six on each side) represent Augustine as bishop, while the shining star above symbolizes the divine wisdom that shone on Augustine after his conversion and illuminated his writings. The belt or cincture at the bottom of the frame represents Augustine as a religious founder.

The Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) is an international Catholic religious organization with administrative headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The Generalate: The canonical head of the Order, the Prior General, together with his Council, known as the General Curia, are located in the newer part of Rome known as EUR (Exposizione Universale Romana). The present Generalate (founded in 1959) is a large building containing rooms not only for the staff but also for the many guests who pass through Rome from various parts of the Order. The building also houses the General Archives, which contain documents related to the history, personnel, and current activities of the Order.

The International House of Studies for the Order - the College of St. Ildefonso & St. Thomas of Villanova - (founded in 1619) is a separate institution located in the old part of Rome and opened to all of those members of the Order who wish to pursue higher studies in the name of their individual provinces. It is a residence from which students attend the various graduate-level universities and colleges of Rome.

The Order itself is subdivided into eight provinces or regions, which are not always geographically contiguous. The provinces are named after Augustinian saints who serve as the special patrons for their members. These provinces together with the date of their foundation and locations, are as follows:

St. Nicholas of Tolentine Province (founded in 1622 AD) with houses in Spain, Taiwan, England, Mexico, Costa, Rica, USA, and Brazil.

Our Lady of Candelaria Province (founded in 1663) with houses in Colombia and Chile.

St. Thomas of Villanova Province (founded in 1909) with houses in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.

St. Augustine Province (founded in 1943) with houses in the USA and Mexico.

St. Joseph Province (founded in 1948) with houses in Spain, Venezuela, and Peru.

St. Rita Province (founded in 1960) with houses in Brazil.

Our Lady of Consolation Province (founded in 1961) with houses in Spain, Panama, Guatemala, Dominican Republic.

St. Ezekiel Moreno Province (founded in 1998) with houses in the Philippines.

The Order has 17 bishops, many of them working in mission territories.

The Order has been entrusted with mission territories in Brazil, China, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Sierra Leon (West Africa).

The Order also operates three international Institutes. These are: the Historical Institute, the Augustinology Institute, and the Spirituality Institute, which are dedicated to scholarly research and dissemination of the fruits of their study through literature and seminars.

In addition the Order sponsors Haren Alde (a Basque expression meaning "for benefit"), with headquarters in Madrid, Spain, an international charitable organization that helps to fund social and educational programs in developing nations.

Finally, the Order offers spiritual services to a number of communities of Augustinian Nuns (contemplative) in Mexico, Spain, and the United States; and of Augustinian Sisters (active) in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, and Venezuela