The great Doctor of the Church had a most profound effect on Western theology. Before his conversion, Augustine was a Manichaean, lived with a concubine, and fathered a son. Through grace and his mother’s prayers, he embraced Christianity and was baptised in Milan by Saint Ambrose.
Returning to Africa, Augustine led an ascetic life and was elected Bishop of Hippo. He was a totally dedicated pastor for 34 years. By his sermons and prolific writings, he fought errors, explained the faith, and laid the foundations for much of Catholic social teaching and theology.
Augustine died as the Vandals besieged Hippo and the Roman world was collapsing. Over the centuries Augustine’s “Confessions” have become his most widely read work.
Main Image: St Augustine in his Study, Sandro Botticelli, 1480