The goals of the Society are not limited to merely promoting traditional Augustinian theological and philosophical reflection in the Church, but are much broader and encompass the entire life of its members. With respect to the Mission, members of the Society vow to serve Christ in the Augustinian tradition of the Church, engage in a lifelong process of learning and education for the edification of the Church, interact with culture from the Augustinian posture of the dichotomy between the City of God and the City of Man, and champion Christian orthodoxy in the Church s teaching office. None of this, however, is done for its own sake but with the overarching goal of maintaining the theological and doctrinal integrity of the Church. In order to accomplish the goals of the Mission, members of the Society will live their lives according to a Rule. While this Rule gives structure to the religious and devotional life of a member, it is flexible enough to be tailored to each member s particular calling as a member of both the Society and the Body of Christ.
Members vow to live their lives first and foremost in an attitude of prayer.
As is evident in his Confessions, St Augustine knew that prayer provides the power needed by the Christian to both understand and live the Christian faith. As such, the Society places strong emphasis upon a life marked by prayer and spiritual formation, along with a life of service to the parish and the community surrounding it. This report will include both an outline of each member s personal spiritual rule and a narrative of the direction that his spiritual life has taken over the previous year. In addition, the Vicar General will provide a report to the Presiding Bishop of the Province on an annual basis, and inform him of the activities of the Society. I will be glad to send you a copy of the General Document that more specifically outlines the Mission, Rule, and Government of the Society.