Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

The Secular Augustinians believe that the emblem of the Order definitely symbolizes the basis of Augustinian Spirituality.  The open book represents the Word of God.  It also represents the intellectual searching which must be part of a living faith.  The flaming heart suggests that love must be progressively profound and even passionate.  The arrow recalls the divine energy, the stimulating grace, which must be the source of thinking and loving.  It represents the very Spirit of God, dynamically piercing the minds and hearts and calling each one to a vivid and continual experience of the growth of faith, hope and love in each one’s personalities.  The emblem then, portrays the fundamental thrust of charism:  the inner experience of grace moving us to learn to love and to live toward God.  This is what “interiority” really is.

The Motto of the Order, “One mind and heart unto God”, adds a second feature to the charism: “community”.  Secular Augustinians must work to build up and support each other intellectually and affectively.  Each one seeks to become profound communicators of whom and what we are.  This calls for self sacrifice as it demands that each one open themselves to one another so that each can appreciate and love each other more profoundly and genuinely.  Augustinian Community means making real communication happen each and every day of life together: at worship, prayer, work, meals, recreation and every practical opportunity.