FAITH TEACHER

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine was born in Tagaste – now Algeria – on November 13, 354 and died in Hippo on August 28, 430. His father, Patrick, was a pagan of well-off social position who, after a long resistance to faith, at the end of his life he converted to Christianity. Mónica, his mother, was a devout Christian. By becoming her widow, she devoted herself totally to the conversion of her son Augustine. The first thing he taught his son Augustine was to pray, but after seeing him enjoy those holy lessons, she suffered as he saw how he was turning away from the Truth until his spirit was infected with Manichean errors and his heart, with the customs of the dissolute Rome. Trusting in the words of a Holy Bishop who told her: “the son of so many tears cannot be lost”, she, Monica, did not stop trying to convert him through prayer and persuasion until she succeeded.

After a permanent search, at age 32 Saint Augustine hands over his person to God, converting to the Catholic faith. Although Augustine did not think about the priesthood, he was ordained in 391 by the Bishop of Hipona, Valerio, who took him as an assistant. Saint Augustine is one of the fundamental examples of the constant search for God, for truth and for knowledge. This search was not done in solitude but in close relationship with others, especially his mother, Santa Mónica, and his friends. Saint Augustine says: We need others to be us.” This is another teaching of Augustine; the importance of community for personal life and for the search for truth in reflection and dialogue with others.

354
November 13
He was born in Tagaste, North Africa

Son of Patrick and Mónica.

361
He starts school in Tagaste
366-369
He studies at Madaura
370
He goes to Carthage to study
373
He becomes a Manichean
374
He teaches grammar in Tagaste
375-383
He teaches rhetoric in Carthage
384
He teaches rhetoric in Rome
384-386
He teaches rhetoric in Milan
386
He converts to Christianity

He retires to Casiciaco.

387
He is baptized in Milan

By Bishop Ambrose on the night of April 24-25, the Easter vigil.

387
His mother dies

His mother, Monica, dies in Ostia, before the end of August. He returns to Rome.

388
He embarks for North Africa

He returns to Tagaste.

391
He is ordained priest in Hippo
392-422
He writes the Commentaries on the Psalms
395
He is consecrated bishop

Coadjutor of Valerio in Hipona.

397
He succeeds Valerius as titular bishop of Hippo
397
He participates in the Councils of Carthage
397-401
He writes the Confessions
402
He participates in the Council of Milevi
410
Several trips to Carthage
412
Synod in Cirta

He preaches several times in Carthage.

413-427
He writes The City of God
416
He participates in a Council of Milevi
418
Trip to Caesarea of Mauritania
426
He visits Milevi

He leaves Hippo in winter for health reasons.

426
He begins to write the Retractions
430
August 28
He dies in Hippo, North Africa

“Few men have possessed such an affectionate and brotherly heart as that of Saint Augustine.”