Introduction

The Motto

The Augustinian Order does not have an official motto, but often you see the Latin words "Tolle Lege" (Take! Read!) used like a motto. These words, while they are suitable as an encouragement to study, have, however, an historical connection with the conversion of Saint Augustine (Confessions Book VIII.29). During the early period of his life when he was in a confused mental state, trying to take the final step of becoming a Catholic, he was in a garden with his friend Alypius, reading the Letters of St Paul. He had put the book down and walked away; suddenly he became aware of some children nearby repeating those words Tolle Lege over and over again; he rushed back to where he had put down the book; he took it up and opened it at random and read from St Paul's Letter to the Romans (Rm 13: 13 – 14), which stated: “Let us walk becomingly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in debauchery and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and as for the flesh, take no thought for its lusts”. Immediately all his hesitation vanished and he was able to make the decision to become a Catholic.