St. Augustine was born in AD 354, in Tagaste (now in Algeria). His father was a prominent citizen, although a pagan, and his mother, St. Monica, was a devout Christian. Through her prayers and example, she brought her husband to baptism before his death.
They raised their son, Augustine, in the Christian faith, but he deferred his baptism. He excelled as a student. As he moved into young adulthood, he yielded himself to a life of intellectual pride and reckless self-indulgence.
After his studies he became a renowned professor of rhetoric in Milan.
Soon he began to suffer a profound religious crisis at the age of 29. He struggled interiorly for three years, trying to find peace in philosophical studies. He turned to the Sacred Scriptures out of desperation and experienced a great stroke of grace which changed his life forever. He was baptized in Milan on Easter Day in AD 387, by St. Ambrose and discovered the peace he had sought all his life. He wrote a chronicle of his conversion story in his famed work entitled, The Confessions.
Augustine returned to North Africa after the death of his mother, St. Monica, and established a common life of prayer, poverty and the study of sacred writings with some devout friends. He was ordained to the priesthood and then was appointed Bishop of Hippo, in present day Algeria.
As Bishop he animated his flock through a zealous ministry of preaching, teaching and writing. Augustine became a great defender of orthodox faith, decimating false teaching with an inspired logic and even to this day is acclaimed as an outstanding guide to the faithful of every age. His works cover a multitude of religious topics.
St. Augustine died on August 28, in AD 430, at the age of 76. His feast day is the same day, August 28. He is a Father and Doctor of the Church, but he is more so a source of inspiration and encouragement for those who have been lost in darkness and are seeking the light.
St. Augustine, pray for us!
Fr. Tim Byerley
Words of St. Augustine
"You were within
and I without, and there I sought You.
You were with me
when I was not with You.
You called, and cried out,
and burst my deafness.
You gleamed and glowed,
dispelling my blindness.
You touched me,
and I burned for Your peace.
For You have made us for Yourself,
And our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.
Too late have I loved You,
Beauty ever ancient, ever new.
You have burst my bonds asunder;
I will offer up to You
an offering of praise."