Augustinian Hermits for Dummies

Augustinian Hermits is a term that we can break down into two parts to make it easier to understand. Let's take a closer look at each part and then put them together to fully understand the meaning. So, first, we have the word "Augustinian." Now, have you ever heard of Saint Augustine? He was a really important person in history who lived a long, long time ago. He was a Christian theologian and philosopher. The word "Augustinian" simply means something that is related to or connected with Saint Augustine.

Now, let's move on to the second part, which is "Hermits." Have you ever heard of hermit crabs? They are those small little creatures that have shells and like to hide inside them. Well, hermits are people who choose to live in a similar way. Instead of shells, they live in small houses or caves all by themselves, away from other people. They prefer to live in isolation and spend most of their time in quiet and contemplation.

So, when we put these two words together, "Augustinian Hermits," we are talking about a group of people who follow the teachings and lifestyle of Saint Augustine and choose to live in solitude, away from society, for spiritual and reflective purposes. Just like hermit crabs have their shells to protect them, these people have their own spaces where they can reflect on their faith and have a closer connection with God.

Augustinian Hermits can be seen as a special community of individuals who dedicate their lives to deepening their spiritual understanding and growing closer to God through a solitary way of living. They are motivated by the teachings and beliefs of Saint Augustine and find fulfillment in the peace and serenity that comes with living a simple, contemplative life. It is important to note that Augustinian Hermits are not the same as monks or nuns who live in community with other like-minded individuals; instead, they choose a more solitary path to pursue their spiritual goals.

So, to sum it all up in simpler terms, "Augustinian Hermits" refers to a group of people who live alone, like hermit crabs in their shells, and follow the teachings of Saint Augustine to deepen their spirituality and grow closer to God.