Saint Augustine of Hippo

Life story

Augustine was born on 13 November 354 at Thagaste, in what is now Algeria. His father, Patricius, was a pagan; his mother, Monica, was a Christian. He studied rhetoric at Carthage, lived with a woman and had a son, Adeodatus. For about nine years he followed the Manichaean sect. He then taught rhetoric in Rome and, from 384, in Milan.

In Milan he heard the bishop Ambrose preach and read Platonist philosophical works. He was baptised at the Easter Vigil of 387 and returned to Africa. His son died a few years later. In 391 the people of Hippo seized him and pressed him into the priesthood; around 395 he became bishop of that city.

For over thirty years as bishop he preached, judged disputes, debated Donatists and Pelagians, and wrote prolifically. His best-known works include the Confessions, written around 397 to 400, and the City of God, completed in 426 after the sack of Rome in 410.

He died on 28 August 430, while the Vandals were besieging Hippo. His remains were later taken to Italy and are venerated at Pavia. He is a Doctor of the Church, and his feast is 28 August. His thought left a deep mark on Western theology and philosophy for centuries. A rule associated with his name was later followed by many communities of canons and friars, and a vast number of his sermons and letters survive.

Works and witness

• Baptised by Ambrose at Milan in 387
• Bishop of Hippo from about 395 until his death
• Wrote the Confessions and the City of God
• Debated the Donatists and the Pelagians

Patron of

Theologians

Saints from the same country

Saint Monica, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Mark

References

• Augustine, Confessions
• Possidius, Life of Augustine
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.