In 387 A.D. Augustine returned to Tagaste, Africa determined to begin living the religious life with Alypius, Evodius, Possidius and others who joined him. He sold his goods and gave the money to the poor except for his house in which they began to live the common life in imitation of the early Christians.
"They devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles and to the common life, to the breaking of bread and to prayers." (Acts 2:42)
Essentially the life lead by the group consisted of community of goods, study, work, prayer and chastity. In the year 400 A.D. Augustine wrote a rule: The Rule of St. Augustine.
The tranquil life he established was soon broken by the death of his son Deoadatus at age 17 and of his friend Nebridius.
Contents
to pg. 8