Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
November 13, 354–August 28, 430
Patron Saint of theologians, philosophers, printers, brewers, and converts to Christianity
St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the greatest theologians and spiritual writers in the history of the Church. His remarkable journey from restless seeker to saint and bishop has inspired Christians for centuries.
Born in Tagaste, North Africa, in 354 A.D., Augustine possessed an exceptional intellect from an early age. His mother, St. Monica, was a faithful Christian who prayed constantly for her son’s conversion. His father was a pagan who converted to Christianity shortly before his death. Augustine pursued studies in rhetoric and established a successful academic career, but his search for truth led him through various secular philosophies that left him disappointed, and he turned to worldly pleasures.
For many years, Augustine remained distant from the Faith of his childhood. Yet God continued to work in his life through his mother’s prayers and the influence of holy Christians. While living in Milan, he met St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, whose wisdom helped him see Christianity in a new light. In 386, he experienced a profound conversion and surrendered his life to God. Ambrose baptized him during the Easter Vigil of 387.
After returning to North Africa, Augustine founded a religious community devoted to prayer and study. Initially hesitant to enter the priesthood, he was encouraged by friends and ordained a priest. Later, he became Bishop of Hippo. For more than three decades, he preached eloquently, cared for his people, and defended the Church against heresies and divisions.
Augustine’s writings transformed Christian thought. His Confessions, an account of his conversion, remains one of the most celebrated spiritual autobiographies ever written. His book City of God offers a powerful Christian vision of history and society. His reflections on grace, free will, Scripture, and the human heart continue to influence theology today.
St. Augustine died in 430, as invading Vandals besieged Hippo. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1298, he remains a towering witness to the truth that every human heart finds its rest in God.
Augustine’s most famous statement appears at the beginning of his Confessions: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” These words summarize his spiritual journey. After years spent seeking fulfillment through success, pleasure, and intellectual pursuits, he discovered that lasting happiness could only be found in God. The quotation continues to resonate with Christians because it expresses the universal human longing for meaning, truth, and communion with the Creator.
Augustine was one of the most prolific Christian authors of antiquity. His best-known works include Confessions, an autobiographical account of his conversion; City of God, written in response to critics of Christianity after the sack of Rome; and On the Trinity, a profound exploration of the mystery of God. Augustine also wrote hundreds of sermons, biblical commentaries, and letters. His writings have shaped Catholic theology, Western philosophy, and Christian spirituality for centuries.
Although St. Augustine died in Hippo, in present-day Algeria, his relics were eventually transferred to Italy for safekeeping. Today, they are venerated in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro in Pavia, Italy. This church has long been an important pilgrimage destination for those devoted to Augustine and his teachings. A magnificent marble shrine houses his remains and commemorates the enduring influence of a saint whose writings continue to guide Christians throughout the world.
Filled with beautiful images and quotes, this free eBook will encourage you to run to Our Lady and call upon her to guide you in the path of holiness. Use the form to let us know where we can send you the eBook The Pondering Heart of Mary.
Part 1 of EWTN’s continuing series looks at influential theologian and philosopher St. Augustine of Hippo. The story of his conversion, Baptism, and extraordinary life epitomizes the transforming power of grace.
Part 2 of EWTN’s continuing series examines the transformation of Augustine of Hippo’s life after his Baptism and the profound theological insights that this extraordinary life contributed to the Church, thereby earning him the title of Doctor of the Church.
Host Richard Payne conducts an informative interview with St. Augustine, and a live modern-day audience gets to conduct a question-and-answer session with the saint.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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