St. Augustine of Hippo

The great St. Augustine was one the early Church’s most brilliant minds. Augustine was born November 13, 354 in Tagaste (Souk-Ahras in present-day Algeria). He was given a Christian education by his devout mother Monica, but his father was a pagan and Augustine fell into loose living and heretical thinking in his teens. Monica, who is also revered as a saint, prayed for years for her son’s conversion. Augustine tells of his conversion process in his Confessions one of the earliest biographies. The turning point of his life happened in Milan in September 386. After his conversion, Augustine was ordained a priest and became bishop of Hippo in 391. He wrote extensively, especially combating the Pelagian heresy and his teachings have had a profound impact on the Church. People wishing to understand his thought should read the Confessions and The City of God. St. Augustine died August 28, 430 at age seventy-six. He is a Doctor and Father of the Church and his feast is celebrated on August 28. His mother Monica’s feast is celebrated on August 27.