26/11/2020
THE CINCTURE AS PART OF THE AUGUSTINIAN HABIT
One special part of the Augustinian habit is the cincture, the long black leather belt tied round the waist. This Augustinian cincture is always black in colour, even though the habit itself may either be white or black depending on the region. Whichever region any Augustinian belongs, the cincture is always black in colour.
The story behind the Augustinian black cincture is amazing. Tradition has it that it was a gift from the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine. Monica was gifted with that cincture in her moment of anxiety and worries over the waywardness of her son Augustine. Our Lady who was honoured under the title of “Our Lady of Consolation” appeared to the anxious and worried mother of Saint Augustine, and in a way of consoling and assuring her of her Maternal intercession gifted her with a cincture and with a promise to console who so ever wear the cincture. Monica later narrated her vision to Augustine and eventually handed the cincture to him. The black cincture eventually became part of the Augustinian habit.
The Augustinians, much like other congregations or orders which wear a belt or cincture in their habits, also regard the cincture or belt as a sign of purity, and a constant reminder of one's vow to love God in a way so total and central than anything else.