Little Union - 06

Augustinian eremo
(monastery), Lecceto
near Siena, Italy

Among the various groups of hermits in Tuscany who were part of this "Little Union," there is no definite evidence available as to how many of them followed the Rule of Saint Augustine before 1244, although a few might have done so.

It is certain that some of them previously had adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict.

In March 1244 a founding Chapter took place somewhere in Rome under the guidance of Cardinal Richard Annibaldi to put the union into effect.

(Some have suggested - or have simply presumed - that the venue for the Chapter was probably the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo; if so, the church was under Franciscan control at that time.)

There was nothing about the papal bulls that led to the Little Union to suggest they were in any way an intended prelude to the Grand Union of 1256. It is therefore historically unsound to make such a suggestion.

The hermits of Tuscany were instructed by Incumbit nobis to elect for themselves a single Prior General and to codify their traditions into a set of Constitutions.

In Latin, the new grouping was usually described as Fratres Heremetarum in Tuscia Ordinis Sancti Augustini, the Brothers Hermits in Tuscany of the Order of St Augustine. This title has caused confusion in subsequent centuries to persons who have not appreciated that, in this phrase, "in the order of St Augustine" means "in the manner of St Augustine." It refers to their following Augustine's Rule as their manner of living. It was to be the members of the Grand Union of 1256 who were to be designated as the "Brothers Hermits of the Order of St Augustine," wherein the term "order" now meant a specific grouping, i.e., now more than simply describing a manner of living.

The Acts (decisions) of the Chapter of 1244 no longer exist, but Pope Innocent IV enumerated the most salient points when he confirmed them in his bull, Pia desideria on 31st March 1244.

The most important point was the general acceptance of an approved rule of life (in this case the Rule of St Augustine) so as to comply with the requirements of the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215.

The papal bull, Pia desideria contains interesting details concerning the new habit (daily apparel) given to members of this new Tuscan grouping of 1244.

This was designed to bring about a uniformity of habit within the newly-amalgamated membership, and to end complaints that the habits of some of the constituent hermitages too closely resembled what the Franciscans were wearing (before the era of the brown Franciscan habit) - which had led to the accusation that the laity supported them on the mistaken thought that they were Franciscans.

Whenever the Tuscans moved away from their house, they were required to carry a staff, which was the sign of a hermit.

(Continued on the next page.)

ID0511

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Little Union - 06

History: bibliography