Saint Augustine?

Question

I'm close to choosing St. Augustine as my confirmation saint because he reperesnts many characterestics i hold dear. Such as hard work, thinking, caring, and confusion. However, i've been trying to get an understanding of his whole life, accomplishments, and theological ideas but the articles are very confusing and religiously worded.

Can anyone give me a brief in-depth summary of St. Augustine's life, accomplishments, repersentations, and theology?

thanks

Answer 1

Augustine of Hippo

Feastday: August 28

Patron of brewers

430





St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.



This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore. Through the prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion. Yet he did not become a Christian then, because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day, however, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St. Antony, and he felt terrible ashamed of himself. "What are we doing?" he cried to his friend Alipius. "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!"



Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine flung himself out into the garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?" Just then he heard a child singing, "Take up and read!" Thinking that God intended him to hear those words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul, and read the first passage his gaze fell on. It was just what Augustine needed, for in it, St. Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus. That did it! From then on, Augustine began a new life.



He was baptized, became a priest, a bishop, a famous Catholic writer, Founder of religious priests, and one of the greatest saints that ever lived. He became very devout and charitable, too. On the wall of his room he had the following sentence written in large letters: "Here we do not speak evil of anyone." St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor right up until his death. "Too late have I loved You!" he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion. His feast day is August 28th.

Answer 2

St. Augustine, a.k.a. Augustine of Hippo.



What I know of him is that he was born in a family of a pagan father and a devout Christian mother, Monica. She was discouraged when she knew Augustine had followed the Manichaen religion, which is some form of Gnosticism which believed in the dual nature of the world and God. He even fathered a son. However, later he converted, mostly because of the influence of Bishop Ambrose. From then, Augustine wrote many things to support Christian ideology and turned from his old ways. Some works to remember:



- The Confessions: Augustine confesses his sins, such as following the heresy of Manichaenism and the fact he had sexual intercourse. He was very big on celibacy, and this work is written in polemics, where it isn't a neutral point of view, but rather puts light into Christianity and puts his old heresy in darkness. It shows his early life was a mess, but he was rectified once he accepted Christianity.



- City of God: The Romans of his time were really depressed, like REALLY depressed enough to shake their faith and question God because of barbarian tribes invading their empire. This was Augustine's response to their lack of faith they were having by saying there are two cities: the city of God and the city of man. The city of man can be destroyed and everything, but the city of God is eternal and those who are faithful believers will be able to live in such beautiful city one day.



I somewhat forgot what doctrines he taught, but he is well known... but I remember he said "don't take the Bible too literally...", although I don't know what that's supposed to mean. That's all I know about Augustine...

Answer 3

Below is the link to a good article about the teachings of St. Augustine. On a personal note, I really love the story of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica. Augustine was a great sinner, and had no use for the Church. His mother, rather than spending her time berating him, offered up prayer and tears for her son. After many years of St. Monica's sacrifice for him, he converted and became a great teacher.

Answer 4

Saint Augustine became right into a important discern in early Christianity, and positively in Western Philosophy. His recommendations approximately theodicy and unique sin have been necessary in coming up Christian theology. He became into hostile to persecution yet paradoxically his words have been later used to assist persecution of different Christians. His recommendations approximately predestination have been later picked up by utilising Calvin and the Jansenists. His recommendations approximately Time have been additionally substantial for his day.

Answer 5

The following contains the answers you request:



http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02091a.htm



In Christ

Fr. Joseph

Answer 6

Before choosing Augie, you should look a little harder into his life. He had multiple concubines, and killed 137 men and left their bodies to rot in a church as an example to others that would oppose his papacy.



He was a great thinker, but a bit of a bastard towards others.

Answer 7

I suppose there's no chance of you choosing Jesus Christ?