Leaders

What Is The Augustine Way?

The Augustine Way is a proven pathway to sexual purity that was developed in a seminary setting, tested over several years, and refined into a 12-session group program.

It is designed to be used in campus ministries, seminaries, parish men’s groups, or similar environments. Its focus is on helping participants grow in chastity and break the habits of pornogrpahy and masturbation, using both spiritual and psychological principles.

The foundation of The Augustine Way is a deeply Catholic anthropology that is both realistic about fallen human nature and idealistic about our call to holiness. 

A Spiritual and Scientific Approach

What distinguishes The Augustine Way from other programs is the integration of scientific, psychological principles of habit change. It focuses heavily on what actually works to change human behavior. At the same time, it also draws from the deep well of Catholic asceticism and spirituality.

For example, while participants encounter the Catechism’s teaching about sexuality, and are encouraged to take up new devotions in their fight for chastity, they will also learn to recognize behavioral cues, understand dopamine cycles, and practice physical techniques to overcome cravings.

For most participants, these will be brand-new weapons in their fight to overcome pornography and masturbation.

A Communal Program

One critical aspect of The Augustine Way is its communal nature. This is a group program; it is not a path to be walked alone.

Participants are active members in a small group led by a facilitator, and they are expected to regularly engage an accountability partner.

For some participants, dealing with deeply personal issues in a group setting can be a significant hurdle; but once embraced, men discover “the band of brothers effect” and experience true support and camaraderie.