(First installment in a series on the Rule of St. Augustine, which can help us understand the mindset and vision of Pope Leo XIV who lives according to this Rule. Written and first published as a series of bulletin articles for Visitation.)
Leo’s Heart: With One Heart and One Soul
“Before all else, dear brothers, love God and then your neighbor, because these are the chief commandments given to us.”
— Rule of St. Augustine, Chapter 1
At the heart of Pope Leo’s spiritual formation as an Augustinian is this opening line of the Rule of St. Augustine—a line that echoes the very heart of the Gospel. The Rule begins not with practical instructions or a list of monastic do’s and don’ts, but with the call to love: first God, then neighbor. It’s a reminder that all Christian life—whether in a monastery, a parish, or a family—begins with relationship.
St. Augustine is not writing primarily for individual saints in isolation. His vision is communal: people living together “with one heart and one soul intent upon God.” That phrase comes from the Acts of the Apostles (4:32), describing the first Christian communities. For Augustine, the model of the early Church is not a nostalgic ideal; it’s the standard for Christian life, even now.
But how do we live this way in the world? How do we pursue unity of heart and soul when we’re tired, divided, distracted, or simply trying to keep up with daily life?
Augustine’s answer is simple, but demanding: everything must begin with love of God. Not vague sentiment or warm feelings, but a love that reorders everything—our desires, our time, our possessions, and even our relationships. Love of God creates the space for authentic love of neighbor.
The first chapter of the Rule calls the community to hold all things in common, to pray together, to eat at the same time, and to follow one rhythm of life. These may seem like monastic customs, but they express a principle that matters just as much in parish life: shared life, shared goods, and shared time form the groundwork of unity.
In this sense, Pope Leo’s formation in the Augustinian tradition may give us a clue to how he sees the Church: not primarily as an institution, but as a people striving to live in communion—with God and with each other. His heart has been shaped by this idea that love and unity are not optional extras but the foundation of the Christian life.
As a parish, we might ask: what helps us become “of one heart and soul”? Are there small ways we can be more intentional about unity—through generosity, shared prayer, mutual forgiveness, or simply making space for others? How do we deal with conflict or tension?
In the coming weeks, we’ll continue walking through this short but powerful Rule, discovering more of what’s formed the heart of our new Pope—and what can shape our own hearts, too.