August Saints

           Augustine of Hippo
                         354-430
     Augustine was born November 13th, 354 in Hippo to Saint Monica and his pagan father. He had an unhappy childhood which led him to a delinquent youth. Augustine disliked school, fell in with bad friends, and disobeyed his parents. He went to every party he could, spending all his time away from home. Augustine was an excellent student when he put his mind to it. Later he became a teacher and opened his own schools around his home town and near Rome. He saw how hard life was in Rome. He was often poor, sick, and lonely.

     Augustine was a Manichean before he became a Christian. Manichean's are people who believe that good and evil are of equal power and battle each other for victory. The writings of the Greek philosophers and the sermons of Saint Ambrose convinced him to become a Christian. The prayer of his mother for seventeen years was finally answered. His pagan father was also converted to Christianity because of the diligence of Saint Monica in praying. After his baptism he spent three years studying and doing good works in Tagaste, North Africa.

     The Bishop of Hippo hearing of Augustine's talents called him to be a priest. Augustine assisted and eventually succeeded him as bishop. He called the priests and workers and insisted that they live like monks.

      For the next 35 years Augustine was a Bishop. During those years he defended the faith against Heretics who falsified the information about the teachings of Jesus. He left behind two great works. One was the book of his life called 'Confessions'. It is one of the first greatest autobiographies. The second book was called 'City of God'. It tells about the struggle between those who rely on God and those who rely on themselves. Augustine's teachings have also appeared in the teachings of the great reformers John Calvin and Martin Luther.

      Augustine died August 28th, 430 of a fever. Augustine is patron of those who wander from the teachings of Jesus and get caught up in sinful lives. Saint Monica and Saint Augustine's feast days are celebrated a day after each other.

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