Over time, the presence of the Augustinians in Cascia has contributed to determining the dominant culture and spirituality throughout the Valnerina area. The community of the Convent of Saint Augustine was also highly esteemed and held in consideration by the Casciana Republic as shown by some general and special councils held in the cloister of the Convent or in the Church itself.

The Augustinian Order is today present in over 50 countries. Augustinian spirituality is encapsulated by the emblem: an open book is background to a flaming heart pierced by an arrow. The book is the Word of God, from which Augustine felt pierced as by an arrow in the depth of his inner life:

“You have wounded my heart with your Word”.

Saint Augustine

This is the synthesis of Augustinian spirituality: the search for God, Truth and Love, through the Word of God, in fraternal love, which makes many one heart and one soul. Today, in Cascia, there are two Augustinian communities.

The Monastery of Saint Rita of Cascia

In the Monastery of Saint Rita da Cascia, the Augustinian Nuns of contemplative life live according to the Rules and Spirituality of Saint Augustine. The days are marked by prayer, work and study, trying to live the perfect common life, like the first community of the Apostles in Jerusalem (see Acts 4, 32-35). Their apostolate is “Evangelisation of the heart” through the paths of interiority. To help man find himself and his true freedom, that is: to approach God, whom each of us wishes to meet from the bottom of their heart. For young women who wish to share this journey of Augustinian religious life, the cloistered nuns offer the willingness of dialogue and vocational discernment in the Parlatory and also the possibility of sharing experiences of monastic life. Furthermore, each year during the summer, they offer a specific four-day vocational course, for better understanding God’s plan for their life, with the help of the Fathers.

The convent of the Sanctuary’s Augustinian religious

The community has lived since 1993 in the former Convent of Saint Clare (today: Convent of Saint Augustine and Saint Rita), the ancient part of which dates back to 1300, but now completely renovated. The Fathers carry out their service of apostolate and evangelisation in the liturgical service of the Sanctuary and in welcoming pilgrims with the help of many confessors.