St. Augustine in Rome

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Monastic life in Rome in the 6th C

• Augustine was a monk trained in the monastery of St. Andrew ad clivum Scauri (which is now St Gregory's on the Coelian.
• The monastic life followed the regula which were according to the old Rule of the Masters and some of the Rule of St. Benedict. It was characterized by complete obedience to the abbot, who usually set the rules for his monastery.
• The main characteristic of the monastic life in Italy in the 6th C was supported tradition, of how man should take a straight course of God according to the teaching of the desert fathers.
• It is not surprising that Bede described the monks life in canterbury later as "As soon as they had entered the dwelling-place allotted to them, they began to imitate the way of life of the apostles and of the primitive church".

Augustine in Rome

• Nothing is known about Augustine family.
• His name might well be taken after he entered the monastic life (as Augustine was not common baptismal name among the Romans).
• Augustine was described by many later English writers as a very tall man.
• Augustine was a pupil (alumnus) of Felix bishop of Messana.
• Augustine reached the level of Praepostius in 596. Praepostius was a monastic position which were usually obtained after many year of training. The position was an assistant to the abbot (secundus).
• Leo III described Augustine as holding the office of Syncllus or companion in the cell or private room to St. Gregory.
• Gregory described Augustine as " having a wonderful capacity for business, his wide, various and minute supervision"