Term
The Augustinian Rule
A set of general regulations for religious communities based on Augustine's writings, providing monastic discipline while allowing for differing customs of observance among various orders.
Filed underEcclesiologyChurch History
Definition
The name applied to three different documents: Augustine's Letter 211, addressed to a community of women in his dioceses; the Regula Secunda, a brief description of monastic discipline; and the Regula Tertia, a longer adaption of Letter 211 for use by a community of men. The rule provides general regulations for a religious community, allowing considerable latitude for development of differing customs of observance among the orders that use it.
Connections
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- Influenced
- Dominican OrderTerm
Sources
- 1.Jerald C. Brauer and B. A. Gerrish, ed. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971). 74Original citation: Brauer, Jerald C., and B. A. Gerrish, eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971, 74.
Last revised August 14, 2026