The Order of St. Augustine (Latin: Ordo sancti Augustini, abbreviated as O.S.A.)—historically Ordo eremitarum sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A., the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine), generally called Augustinians, or Austin Friars, (not to be confused with the Augustinian Canons Regular) is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one. In its establishment in its current form, it was shaped as a mendicant Order, one of the four great Orders which follow that way of life. The Order has done much to extend the influence of the Church, to propagate the Roman Catholic Faith and to advance learning. The Order has, in particular, spread internationally the veneration of th