Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Confessor, and illustrious Doctor of the Church, is among the greatest Fathers of the Latin Church, rightly honored with the title Doctor of Grace.
Life
He was born in the town of Tagaste in Numidia (modern-day Souk Ahras, Algeria) in the year 354. His father, Patricius, was a pagan; his mother, the most holy Monica, was a devout Christian who, with tears and constant prayer, implored God for the conversion of her son.
As a youth, Augustine was gifted with a brilliant intellect but lived a dissolute life. While pursuing studies in rhetoric, he fell into the errors of the Manicheans and remained in their sect for many years.
Later, having gone to Milan, he encountered the preaching of Saint Ambrose, bishop of that city, whose wisdom and eloquence opened his mind to Catholic truth. At last, in 386, in a garden near Milan, Augustine was moved to tears of compunction by divine grace, hearing the words: “Take and read.” Opening the Scriptures, he read the passage of Saint Paul to the Romans, which pierced his heart. The following year, he was baptized by Saint Ambrose, together with his son, Adeodatus.
Returning to his native land, he was ordained priest in 391, and in 395 became Bishop of Hippo. For more than thirty years he was a most faithful pastor and teacher of Catholic truth, writing innumerable books, treatises, and sermons. He fought with great zeal against the Donatists, Manicheans, Pelagians, and other heretics.
Among his most celebrated works are the Confessions, in which he narrates his own life and glorifies God’s mercy, and The City of God, his monumental vision of history under the two opposing cities: the City of God and the earthly city.
Death and Veneration
Saint Augustine departed this life in 430, while the city of Hippo was besieged by the Vandals. His memory was soon held in the highest veneration throughout the Church. His writings became a fountain of doctrine for the ages, and his teaching on divine grace has earned him the title Doctor Gratiæ.
The Church honors him as one of her greatest Doctors, and his feast is celebrated on August 28th.