Independent Augustinian communities are Roman Catholic religious communities that follow the Augustinian Rule, but are not under the jurisdiction of the Prior General of the Augustinian hermits in Rome.
An offshoot from the hermit friars resulting from reform efforts. These "barefoot" Augustinians are called "discalced" because they wear sandals rather than shoes. They were founded about 1560 by Thomas a Jesu.
Whilst not being a branch of the Augustinian order, the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, who have been known in English as the "Black Canons," or the "Austin Canons," constitute one of the oldest and most prestigious Latin Rite orders. This ancient order is made up of nine independent congregations confederated internationally in 1959, and the Confederation of Canons Regular of St Augustine elects an Abbot Primate.
This order of Canons Regular (also known as "Norbertines") follows the Rule of St. Augustine, and were founded by Norbert of Xanten in 1120. At the end of the 20th century, there were more than one hundred Premonstratensian monasteries worldwide and over 1,500 canons, brothers, deacons, nuns and sisters.[3]
Other congregations following the Rule of St. Augustine
Canon 13 of the Fourth Council of the Lateran directed those who wished to found a new religious community to choose an existing approved rule.
Brothers Hospitallers of St John of God
Not an historical offshoot, but following the Augustinian Rule, this institute was founded by the Portuguese Saint John of God in Spain during the 16th century.[4] They conduct 231 health care and social welfare services throughout the world and are the official health care providers to the Pope.
The Assumptionists are a religious congregation of pontifical right, founded in France around 1845 by Emmanuel d'Alzon. The priests and brothers are active in teaching, communications, and mission work.[5]
The Dominican friars
When Saint Dominic obtained approval for his new Order of Preachers, he was directed to adopt an already existing rule. As a cathedral canon, he chose the Rule of St. Augustine. "He supplemented rule with legislation and customs borrowed from the Premonstratensians."[6] He also drew some monastic observances from Benedictine tradition. While the Dominicans follow an adapted Augustinian rule, they are a separate and distinct religious order that counts Augustine as one of its patrons.
^c.f. The Rule of Saint Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament (New York: Schwartz, Kirwin, and Fauss, 1893), pp. 33–35.
