St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the greatest theologians of all time. He was born in 354 in North Africa. As a youth, he was a wanderer who dabbled in Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. He was a man of the world and about the world. He had a mistress and fathered a son, Adeodatus.
But his mother, St. Monica, constantly kept after him and prayed for him. Finally, at the age of 32, Augustine became a Christian. He was baptized by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, at the Easter Vigil in 387.
In 391, Augustine returned to North Africa, where the people of Hippo made him a presbyter. Just four years later, he became Bishop of Hippo. Augustine’s spiritual journey is recounted in The Confessions, an autobiography, the first of its kind.
As Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine was a defender of the faith and he wrote countless books, including The City of God, letters and sermons which to this very day provide a rich source of insights into the faith.
He died on 28 August 430 as the Roman Empire was crumbling.
Collect for the Day:
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
But his mother, St. Monica, constantly kept after him and prayed for him. Finally, at the age of 32, Augustine became a Christian. He was baptized by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, at the Easter Vigil in 387.
In 391, Augustine returned to North Africa, where the people of Hippo made him a presbyter. Just four years later, he became Bishop of Hippo. Augustine’s spiritual journey is recounted in The Confessions, an autobiography, the first of its kind.
As Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine was a defender of the faith and he wrote countless books, including The City of God, letters and sermons which to this very day provide a rich source of insights into the faith.
He died on 28 August 430 as the Roman Empire was crumbling.
Collect for the Day:
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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