A History of the Augustinian Order: The Embryonic Form of the Order | Facilitated by D.P. Curtin

The Embryonic Form of the Order. Building upon the foundations of the first section, this portion explores how the Augustinian tradition gradually differentiated itself from other monastic rules and movements of the early medieval period, such as the Benedictine and Columban traditions. The discussion includes the transmission of Augustinian ideas into the early Irish Church and the broader Latin West, highlighting the adaptability of St. Augustine’s thought to diverse ecclesial contexts. Central to this section is an examination of the so-called Ordo Antiquus and the earliest structured applications of Augustine’s life and works during the Carolingian Reforms. Key moments, including the Synod of Aachen, will be discussed, particularly in relation to renewed interest in clerical discipline, communal life, and episcopal authority. The Carolingian appropriation of Augustinian theology—especially the use of The City of God in shaping Frankish political and ecclesiastical ideology will receive special attention. Overall, this period is characterized more by transmission, consolidation, and standardization than by innovation, culminating in the Gregorian Reforms of the eleventh century, which sought to regularize clerical life and establish uniform, papally sanctioned religious communities. Meet the Moderator: D.P. Curtin Dr. D.P. Curtin is an Irish-American psychologist, translator, and theologian. He holds degrees from Villanova University, Chestnut Hill College, and Chatham University. His work has appeared in First Things, Real Clear Religion, the Irish Catholic, Public Orthodoxy, Where Peter Is, and Catholic Exchange. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Scriptorium Project.