On August 28, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, a towering figure whose journey from sinner to saint continues to inspire Catholics worldwide. A theologian, bishop, and Doctor of the Church, Augustine’s life of conversion, prolific writings, and pastoral zeal shaped the Church’s theology and the Augustinian tradition, which thrives today in communities across Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond. His story, marked by intellectual brilliance and spiritual transformation, reflects God’s boundless mercy. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “Augustine’s life is a journey toward God, a model for all who seek truth” (General Audience, January 9, 2008).
A Restless Heart in Search of Truth
Born in 354 in Thagaste, Roman Africa (modern-day Souk Ahras, Algeria), Aurelius Augustine was the son of Patricius, a pagan, and Monica, a devout Christian. Enrolled as a catechumen by his mother, Augustine’s baptism was deferred, following the custom of the time. His inquisitive mind led him to study rhetoric in Tagaste, Madaurus, and Carthage, aiming for wealth and fame. At 17, he began a 13-year relationship with a woman who bore his son, Adeodatus, whom he described as “extremely intelligent” in his Confessions (Book IX).
Augustine’s early life was marked by hedonism and intellectual exploration. He embraced Manichaeism, a dualistic religion, much to Monica’s dismay. His famous prayer, “Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet” (Confessions, VIII.7), captures his struggle with worldly desires. Yet, Monica’s prayers and example kept him tethered to the faith. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The prayer of the faithful, especially of parents, can guide souls to conversion” (CCC 2684).
A Transformative Conversion
Augustine’s spiritual journey took him to Rome and Milan, where he taught rhetoric and encountered Bishop Ambrose, whose preaching profoundly influenced him. In 386, at age 32, Augustine experienced a dramatic conversion in a Milan garden. Hearing a child’s voice say, “Take up and read” (tolle, lege), he opened the Bible to Romans 13:13–14: “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.” This moment, described in Confessions (VIII.12), redirected his life toward God.
Baptized by Ambrose in 387 alongside Adeodatus, Augustine committed to celibacy and a life as a “servant of God.” He returned to Thagaste, where he, Adeodatus, and friends like Alypius formed a monastic community focused on prayer, work, and Scripture. Tragically, Monica died in 387 at Ostia, content in her son’s conversion, and Adeodatus passed soon after. Augustine sold his inheritance, gave the proceeds to the poor, and transformed his family home into a monastery.
Bishop and Defender of the Faith
In 391, Augustine was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius (modern Annaba, Algeria) and became bishop in 395, succeeding Valerius. Though hesitant, he accepted God’s call, establishing monastic communities in Hippo while fulfilling his duties as pastor and civil official. He traveled extensively, attending 40–50 church councils and making 30 trips to Carthage, often enduring physical hardship. His friend Possidius described him as “a man of powerful intellect and stirring oratory, who defended Christianity against its detractors” (Sancti Augustini Vita).
Augustine’s writings—over 200 books, 1,000 sermons, and countless letters—addressed heresies like Manichaeism and Pelagianism. His Confessions, a spiritual autobiography, and City of God, a defense of Christianity against pagan accusations, remain classics. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes, “Augustine’s theology shaped the Church’s understanding of grace, free will, and salvation” (New Advent, “St. Augustine of Hippo”). His Rule for monastic life, emphasizing community and charity, continues to guide Augustinian communities. As Pope John Paul II remarked, “Augustine’s Rule teaches us to live in communion, reflecting the Trinity’s unity” (Letter to Augustinians, August 28, 2004).
Miracles and Legacy
Augustine’s life was marked by miracles, including the healing of a sick man during the Vandal siege of Hippo in 430, as recorded by Possidius. As he lay dying, Augustine prayed the penitential psalms, which he had written on his walls, seeking repentance. He died on August 28, 430, as the Vandals besieged Hippo. His cathedral and library were spared, preserving his works. His relics were later moved to Sardinia and then to Pavia, Italy, where they rest in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro. In 1298, Pope Boniface VIII named him a Doctor of the Church.
Augustine’s legacy endures in the Augustinian tradition, which fosters community, charity, and contemplation. His words in Confessions resonate: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (I.1). Pope Francis has called Augustine “a guide for our restless hearts, pointing us to Christ” (Angelus, August 28, 2016). As patron saint of theologians, printers, brewers, and those with sore eyes, Augustine remains a beacon of God’s transformative grace.
St. Augustine of Hippo, pray for us!
Sources:
1. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 2nd ed., 1997, Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
2. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions, trans. Henry Chadwick, Oxford University Press, 1991.
3. Possidius, Sancti Augustini Vita, trans. F.R. Hoare, The Western Fathers, 1954.
4. “St. Augustine of Hippo,” Catholic Encyclopedia, New Advent, www.newadvent.org.
5. Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, January 9, 2008.
6. Pope John Paul II, Letter to Augustinians, August 28, 2004.
7. Pope Francis, Angelus, August 28, 2016.
8. Bede, True Martyrology, trans. J. McClure and R. Collins, 1997.
