St. Augustine of Hippo

Trust the past to the Mercy of God, 

the present to His Love, 

and the future to His Providence.

~ St. Augustine ~

Saint Augustine became a Christian at 33, a priest at 36 and a full bishop of Hippo at 41.

Augustine was born on 13 November, 354 in the town of Thagaste, North Africa (region known as Algeria today). His mother, Monica (St. Monica, whose feast is celebrated on 27 August), was a Christian, and his father Patritius, a pagan for many years ( became a Christian before his death). At one level he always found something attractive about Christ, but in the short run he was more interested in the attractions of sex, fame, and pride in his own cleverness. After his conversion to Christianity and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology. 

In 391 Augustine was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius (now Annaba), Algeria and 395 he was made coadjutor Bishop of Hippo, and became full Bishop "Augustine of Hippo" shortly thereafter; and he gave his property to the church of Thagaste. Augustine, bishop of Hippo died 28 August 430 in Hippo Regius, Numidia at the age of 75. Augustine was canonized, and later recognized as a Doctor of the Church in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII. St. Augustine of Hippo feast day is celebrated on 28 August, the day he died. He is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, and sore eyes.

Prayer

O Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the Life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Faith is to believe what you do not see; 

the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.

Saint Augustine

It was pride that changed angels into devils; 

it is humility that makes men as angels.

Saint Augustine

If you believe what you like in the gospels, 

and reject what you don't like, 

it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.

Saint Augustine

Pray as though everything depended on God. 

Work as though everything depended on you.

Saint Augustine

Do you wish to rise? 

Begin by descending. 

You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? 

Lay first the foundation of humility.

Saint Augustine

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, 

don't accept, because you will lose one friend; 

on the other hand, 

if two strangers come with the same request, 

accept because you will gain one friend.

Saint Augustine