Some interesting facts about St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

08/28/2023

Augustine was born in 354 AD in Thagaste, Roman Africa (modern-day Algeria). His mother, St. Monica, was a devout Christian who prayed for her son's conversion for over 30 years.
As a young man, Augustine lived a hedonistic lifestyle and took a mistress who bore him a son. He became interested in philosophy and explored various secular philosophies like Manichaeism before converting to Christianity at age 32.
Augustine's most famous written work is his autobiography Confessions. It's considered one of the first Western autobiographies ever written. In it, he describes his sinful past and eventual embrace of God.
Two other significant works by Augustine are City of God and On the Trinity. City of God contrasts human society focused on secular pleasures with the City of God centered on God's truth and love.
Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose on Easter 387 AD. He later became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa and played a key role in early Church councils on important doctrines like sin and grace.
Augustine is considered one of the most influential figures in Western Christianity. His teachings on original sin, divine grace, and just war theory had a profound impact.
St. Augustine is the patron saint of theologians, brewers, and printers, among others. His feast day is August 28, the day of his death in 430 AD. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1298.