by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer
One of the most famous autobiographies in the world, St. Augustine’s Confessions, begins in this way: “Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised . . . Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
For a thousand years, Confessions was the most common manual on the Christian spiritual life. It has had more readers than any of St. Augustine’s other works. He wrote Confessions ten years after converting, and after being a priest for eight years. In it, St. Augustine confesses to God, “Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new. Lately I have loved Thee”.
Many learn from his autobiography how to bring their heart closer to God’s heart, the only place to find true happiness . . .
Many men discerning religious life are often attracted to the story of St. Augustine. He was a man in constant pursuit of Truth. He was a man that had a challenging spiritual journey. He was a man of both devoted mind and heart. So, just who was this “sinner turned saint” who would become one of the most influential Christians after Saint Paul. Let’s examine the story of St. Augustine: The Doctor of Grace.
Born on Nov. 13, 354 A.D., in the town of Tagaste in North Africa, St. Augustine had one parent who was a saint. But the other, his father, Patricius, was another story. Patricius was a hot-tempered pagan who only converted shortly before his death, due to the holy witness of his wife, the lady who was Augustine’s mother, and who would become St. Monica.
Born under the name Aurelius Augustinus, his story is a compelling one, as one of the world’s best-known sinners turned into one of its best-known saints. His mother, St. Monica, prayed for him for 17 years before his conversion.
From the time he was 16 years old, St. Augustine led an immoral life. He had a child out of wedlock, embraced heretical teachings, and was even a thief. He was, in fact, raised in the Catholic faith but never baptized until later in life, a common practice of the time, but one that he later preached against. Even to the day of his ordination, he still found himself lured by the passions of the world, and struggled with sins such as lust, gluttony, comfort, pride, and vanity. In fact, this is the famous prayer, “Lord, give me chastity and continence, but not yet!”
One day, during his 32nd year, everything changed. St. Augustine suddenly heard a childlike voice, repeating, “Take, read! Take, read!”
Realizing this was of divine origin, he turned to the scriptural letters of St. Paul, reading at random until his eyes fell upon the following passage: “ …not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom 13:13-14).
Immediately transformed, scales began falling from his eyes like that of St. Paul’s experience. St. Augustine sought out his mother and rejoiced. Shortly thereafter, he was baptized into the church by Bishop Ambrose. St. Augustine admitted in his famous memoir, Confessions, “I lost myself among a multiplicity of things.”
Visiting the city of Hippo in 391, St. Augustine was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Valerius. Upon the Bishop’s death in 395, he was chosen to succeed him as Bishop. He would become the Bishop of Hippo, a North African Roman outpost in the waning days of the Roman Empire. Christian communities were well established at the time but very divided. St. Augustine’s efforts would help clarify many divisive doctrinal issues and helped define what the Christian church is today.
St. Augustine served as the Bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430. He became known as a renowned theologian, prolific writer, skilled preacher, and one whose words persuaded many.
Today he is recognized as one of the Latin Fathers of the Church. Together with Gregory the Great, Ambrose, and Jerome, Augustine was one of the original four Doctors of the Church. He was proclaimed a Doctor by Pope Boniface VII in 1298. He was bestowed this title because of the extraordinarily high value of his writings, which included major theological, philosophical, and spiritual works.
Along with his famous work Confessions (his spiritual autobiography), he wrote, The City of God, On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine, and the Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love, among others. His writings helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought.
Being an incredible homilist, hundreds of St. Augustine’s sermons are preserved. Filled with charity, they also burned with truth. He tirelessly worked to expose and expel the heretical teachings, self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God, of his day and became a true shepherd of souls. He assisted at Church councils and wrote many important works and opinions. He was an expert in Latin, becoming well known for his eloquent use of the language during debates, throughout his writings and in his published works.
The “Doctor of Grace,” as he is reverently titled, passed away at the age of 76, on August 28, 430. He was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII.
His life intrigues me, giving me hope that God’s love is infinite, and his forgiveness cannot be measured by any other relationship in the world. God deliberately chose hardened sinners to prove His love for humanity and all his creation. Because of his unfailing love, we can rise from our failings, take up our cross, and follow Christ.
St. Augustine’s life provides a clear example of how God the Father influences our lives. He chooses people from all walks of life. The Church honors the lives of saints from different backgrounds, including physicians, educators, social activists, kings, queens, politicians and enslaved people. All allow a fresh perspective in our lives, showing examples of God can come into our hearts and to help us get up after we have fallen.
For a thousand years after his death, no one in the Western church was more widely read than Augustine. He is considered the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses.
He is considered the greatest philosopher of his time and arguably the most important and influential theologian of the church after the New Testament. St. Augustine simply has been one of the greatest contributors of new ideas and clarity in the history of the Catholic Church. He is an example for us all – a sinner turned saint, who gives all of us hope.
We celebrate the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, on Aug. 28 each year. We remember his life and the message it is never too late to have a relationship with God. O’ Holy Saint Augustine, who famously declared that “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in You,” aid me in my own search for our Lord, that through your intercession I may be granted the wisdom to determine the purpose God has planned for me…Amen.
Peace my Brothers and Sisters, until next week…
