The order of Augustinian nuns was founded in 1264, and until 1401 remained strictly cloistered. Several Austin communities came to neglect the strict observance of their discipline; in consequence, the order was reformed more than once. One reformed congregation of Augustinians in Germany numbered among its members Martin Luther, who later castigated the order.
The dissolution of the monasteries in England by Henry VIII included all those belonging to the Austin Friars. After 1800 the Augustinians were suppressed entirely in France, Spain, and Portugal, and partly suppressed in Italy and southern Germany. Approximately 100 Augustinian organizations now flourish in Europe and various parts of the Americas, where they remain active in educational and medical work.
Benedictines.
Benedictines, monks and nuns following the rule of St Benedict of Nursia. The first 12 Benedictine monasteries were founded early in the 6th century at Subiaco, near Rome, by Benedict, who later founded the famous abbey at Monte Cassino and there established the rule that organized and revitalized Western monasticism and gave it its particular characteristics. Judged by the standards of the time, the Benedictine rule imposed no great amount of austerity or asceticism. It required the provision of adequate food, clothing, and shelter. Depending on the season of the year and the festival celebrated, the Benedictines each day devoted a period of four to eight hours to celebrating the divine office and one period of seven or eight hours to sleep; the remainder of the day was divided about equally between work (usually agricultural) and religious reading and study. The abbot was given full patriarchal authority over the community, but was himself subject to the rule and was required to consult the members of the community on important questions. During the lifetime of Benedict, his disciples spread the order through the countries of central and western Europe; it soon became the only important order in those lands, remaining so until the founding of the Augustinian Canons in the 11th century and of the mendicant orders in the 13th century.
